Perspective on Assessment and Evaluation

• Why is assessment and evaluation of students such an important aspect of a teacher's work?
• What is meant by the "grade-for-work" exchange?
• Contrast the terms assessment and evaluation as they pertain to classroom teaching.
• What are the meanings of the terms reliability, validity, and fairness?

Theoretical and Empirical Support

• In what ways have grades been shown to increase student performance?  Why is an overemphasis on the extrinsic grade reward system possibly a disadvantage?
• In what ways do standardized tests effect student motivation and performance?
• What subjective criteria have been shown to influence teachers when they judge student work?

Standardized Tests

• How have state testing programs impacted the curriculum and the way teachers teach?
• What is meant by "high stakes" testing?
• What different roles are teachers asked to play in regards to standardized testing?
• How do norm-referenced tests and criterion-referenced tests differ?  What are the advantages and disadvantages to each approach?
• Why is it important that teachers have a thorough understanding of standardized testing methods?

A Teacher's Assessment Program

• What are the three major purposes of a teacher's classroom assessment program?
• What methods and tools do teachers use to assess a student's prior knowledge?
• What methods and tools do teachers use to assess students with disabilities?
• In what situations is corrective feedback most effective?
• Why is the reporting of grades such a critical responsibility for a teacher?

Specifics of Traditional Assessments

• What are the major guidelines that teachers should follow when they construct tests?
• What purposes are served by a "test blueprint"?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of selected-response tests?  Of essay tests?
• What can teachers do to create an encouraging and stress-free test-taking environment?

Alternative Assessments

• What are some of the controversies in regard to traditional testing practices?  What solutions have been considered to remedy these problems?
• How do performance assessments and authentic assessments differ?  How do they differ from traditional testing methods?
• Describe the steps involved in designing a performance assessment; a scoring rubric.
• What is a student portfolio?  How can it be used in a teacher's assessment program?
• Describe the factors teachers should consider when deciding which assessment to use.

Evaluation and Grading

• Contrast grading on a curve and grading to criterion.
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of grading on a curve and grading to criterion.
• Describe how test generators and electronic grade books can be used by teachers.

Assessment Bill of Rights

• What are the primary ideas behind the "Assessment Bill of Rights" developed by Grant Wiggins?