The use of essays in higher education is discussed. It is suggested that essays have two clear but always separate functions: a teaching-learning function and an assessment function. The assessment may be formal, as when essays are given a mark that contributes to the final classification, or informal, when the essay may not formally count but is…

Describes the results of utilizing examinations which allow freedom of choice and response, and lists the outcomes of assessing practical work internally by teachers. (LS)

Criticizes post-Sputnik changes in college chemistry instruction, including the tendency to assign higher grades and the teaching of difficult material beyond the students's ability. (MLH)

Examines empirically the efficacy of utilizing Olympic diving and gymnastic scoring systems for grading graduate students' English compositions. Results indicated that such scoring rules do not produce ratings different in reliability or in level from conventional letter grades. (ED)

A comparison was made between scores and grades of college students taking a development and learning course, using either a modified mastery grading system (MMGS) or a modified norm-referenced grading system (MNRGS). Under the MMGS, students could take each unit exam up to three times to meet minimum or higher criteria levels. Under the MNRGS,…

In this article, Simon Butler advances a strong case for "comments only" marking. Good assessment, he argues, is about encouraging students to reflect on their current performance and take responsibility for their own progress. Assigning Levels to pupils' work is often justified in terms of the generation of targets which help to…

Discusses a program in which the instructor "buys" work from his students for grades. Four pieces of work are required of the student for the semester. Each successive piece of work requires more independent thought, and successfully completed, results in a higher grade. (Author/PG)

Provides a course contract, syllabus, and evaluation sheet for use in a college technical communication course. (MH)

Description of a simulation that uses the Tachai system for determining students' grades on their participation and oral reports in a graduate seminar on contemporary China. (ND)

Discussed are the purposes of testing, the construction of different types of test items, grading, and statistical analysis of test scores. (JP)

Research supported by the Iowa Urban Community Research Center.