educational evaluation

"A major goal of the ... science education reform effort [is] that students make sense of the natural and designed world by engaging in science and engineering practices ... [This book offers] ways to talk about and organize instruction to meet ... [this goal] ... The contributors include science education researchers and teachers who have explored these ideas in their own classrooms"--pages 4-5.

Explains the major features of the No Child Left Behind Act, discussing the history of accountability and achievement, yearly progress, Title I, early childhood education, restructuring, school finance, and other related topics.

"A collection of ... essays that confronts the failure of testing and grading. The book explores the historical failure of testing and grading; the theoretical and philosophical arguments against testing and grading; the negative influence of tests and grades on social justice, race, class, and gender; and the role that they play in perpetuating a deficit perspective of children"--Provided by publisher.

Discusses student-engaged assessment, a system that changes assessment from evaluating and ranking students to one that motivates them to learn.

"Examines and debunks traditional practices and policies of grading in K-12 schools"--Back cover.

Shows teachers how to help students set learning goals, and reflect on and chart their learning progress. Also describes how teachers can use that reflection and self-assessment to develop targeted learning plans and determine student mastery. Includes practical tips, creative ideas, and sample reflections from real students.

Documents education reporter Kristina Rizga's four-year investigation into the education provided by Mission High School in San Francisco, in which she reports that the students are thriving and continuing on to college in high numbers in spite of the "failing grade" the school has been given because of low scores on standardized tests.

Examines the controversies surrounding "high-stakes" testing that can deny students promotion to the next grade or graduation, and affect a school's funding. Presents a brief history of testing in America and then describes how these tests discriminate against poor, minority children.