This short article explains what performance assessment is, how it works, why it is worth trying, what the research says about it, and discusses the cost. It gives tips for constructing performance-based assessment and some examples of successful implementations. There are many contacts for getting more information. Full description.

This searchable resource contains a list of performance assessment tasks, aligned with and linked to National Science Education Standards. The resources are collected from a variety of reputable sources, such as the Third Annual Math and Science Study (TIMMS) and the NY State Education Department. The tasks include student directions and response forms, administration procedures, scoring rubrics, ... Full description.

This document describes how to conduct a program evaluation. It covers focusing the evaluation at the outset, collecting and using the information, and managing the evaluation. Each section presents a series of questions and considerations that can be adpated to a specific need and situation. An accompanying worksheet assists the user in organizing this information. Full description.

A portfolio is a purposeful collection of student work that exhibits the student's efforts, progress, and achievements in one or more areas of the curriculum. This resource discusses the characteristics of an effective portfolio, types of portfolios, and the phases of portfolio assessment. It offers guidelines for how to get started using portfolios, how can a portfolio be evaluated, and some additional ... Full description.

This article describes why portfolios may be useful for improving assessment and for motivating and involving students more in their own learning. Topics include instructional uses, assessment uses, tracking growth over time, accountability, and references for further reading. This resource is intended for K-12 teachers to use in the classroom. Full description.

This short document guides the user through the stages of creating and implementing an effective questionnaire. The types of questions and how they should be worded are addressed, and many good examples of the different types of questions that could go into a questionnaire are presented. This resource is intended for novice evaluators. Full description.

This is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods. It covers the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); ... Full description.

This is a series of rubrics for assessing student performance in a variety of science activities. These include rubrics for experimental designs, experimental reports, science writing samples, labs, open-ended questions, science fair projects and data analysis. Scales for scoring specific elements of each are provided. Full description.

This page guides users through a series of questions that help determine the appropriateness of a task for assessing students at various grade levels. The questions are designed for teachers to ask of themselves when selecting assessments for their students. This resource is intended for use in the classroom by K-12 teachers. Full description.

This is a survey designed to elicit student attitudes about using computers and their assessment of how well they use computers. Full description.