Classroom Assessment: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Real Classrooms, 2nd edition

Extensive practical applications with concrete, real-world examples–including examples of grading student artifacts and a complete test–provides future teachers with hands-on experiences working with the real products of students and teachers.  (See pages 180 and 216-223 for examples.)

Exceptionally clear step-by-step guidance on how to construct and use assessments–teaches readers how to create a range of assessments that effectively assess student progress toward learning goals. (See pages 258-269 for an example.)

Unique coverage of child development issues in assessment–examines issues arising out of the differences in assessing students from kindergarten up through high school. Helps future teachers understand what is and is not effective assessment practice at different grade levels.   (See pages 129 and 234 for examples.)

New! Revised Concise Content–expands and clarifies the purposes of assessment for teaching and learning.  In keeping with the climate of standards-based accountability, the book now includes even more information on No Child Left Behind and its implications for teachers and students. More refined standards for reliability and validity are presented. Detailed information is given on the processes teachers use to plan and create effective tests including a section on how to anchor test questions in learning objectives. This edition also includes more material on keeping track of student learning in progress before giving formal assessments. 

New! Updated unique chapter-by-chapter coverage of adapting assessment for students with special needs–sets the stage for incorporating a discussion of special needs students throughout.  This book provides a basic understanding of specific challenges in this type of assessment and ideas for effective adaptations. Reducing bias in assessment is an important theme that runs throughout the book.  In this edition more material has been added on sensitivity to diversity and designing assessments that meet the needs of all students.  (See pages 195 and 237 for examples.)

Extensive concrete criteria for analyzing and using test items provided by textbook publishers–provides a framework within which students can evaluate ready-made tests as well as create their own assessments.