Reviews the literature and outlines a framework for performance measurement and evaluation within post-secondary continuing education. In the framework, performance measurement serves as ongoing data collection and decision support, placing outputs, outcomes, and ratios as performance indicators in a matrix. (SLD)

Performance assessment in vocational education should be realistic and multidimensional, involve products and/or process, range from simple to complex, be open ended, and involve human judgment. Key issues include validity, reliability, costs, and consequences. (SK)

Introduces the articles of this theme issue focusing on performance assessment methodology. Papers address: (1) merging item formats; (2) scoring models; (3) equating and linking; (4) generalizability theory; (5) standard setting methods; and (6) validity issues and methods. (SLD)

Discusses a survey of 387 Nebraska school library media specialists regarding their perceived roles (as teacher, information specialist, instructional consultant) and school district evaluation practices. Fully 72% are not evaluated at all, are evaluated on a teacher-evaluation form, or are evaluated without apparent criteria. They are not…

Discusses what researchers say about science assessment and the need for an assessment that evaluates students on their ability to demonstrate the scientific process in a meaningful, hands-on fashion. Creates a wide-scale, performance-based assessment tool for elementary science. Provides example task questions and rubrics. (ASK)

Developed and field tested the Performance Accountability Quality Scale (PAQS) on 191 program performance measurement systems developed by nonprofit agencies in central Florida. Preliminary findings indicate that the PAQS provides a structure for obtaining expert opinions based on a theory-driven model about the quality of proposed measurement…

Reviews the conclusions drawn in articles in this special issue and comments on some of the major themes, including paradigm debates, context issues, the role of evaluators and evaluation, the performance measurement movement, and the impact of new technologies on evaluation. (SLD)

Idaho's second largest school district adopted a computerized version of the achievement tests it had been using in paper-and-pencil form for students of grades 3-12. Two of the most significant benefits of the computer-based testing program are the timeliness of the data and the ability to monitor student progress. The district worked closely…

Focuses on the performance assessment of the practical component in science education, discussing changes over the years in the rationale and methodology of large-scale performance assessment. Illustrates these changes by comparing the Second International Science Study (1984) with the Third International Science and Mathematics Study. Contains 77…

Points out the pedagogical testing value of the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". Explains which game show components are applicable to classroom settings and examines some show strategies. (YDS)

Examined reactions of 246 parents to the use of a curriculum-embedded performance assessment, the Work Sampling System (WSS) with children in kindergarten through grade 3. The majority of parents preferred the WSS reports to conventional report cards and expressed approval of WSS use. (SLD)

Describes one Illinois school district's efforts to develop multiple school and student performance measures that go beyond standardized test scores. (PKP)

The new learning paradigm brings with it the need for a change in assessment practices as well. In this chapter, one of the assessment practices that is most consistent with this paradigm, authentic assessment, is discussed.

Some 37.1 percent of education spending was earmarked for teachers in 2001-02, according to the American Federation of Teachers, and most of that money was paid out using traditional compensation systems. But as expectations for accountability increase, a handful of states are looking to pay-for-performance systems to attract quality…

Since the Bologna Declaration, improving the efficiency and transparency of the systems of higher education has become one of the principal challenges for all European countries. In fact, the establishment of evaluation processes in programmes and institutions is a current practice. For this purpose, several mechanisms of evaluation are being…