Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades 6-12

"Contains valuable and timely information on how to develop appropriate, authentic, and worthwhile assessments."
—Deborah S. Yost, Professor of Education
La Salle University

Improve student achievement on daily assignments, unit assessments, and standardized tests!

Customizing instructional approaches to a specific educational context and learners’ needs is a common challenge for educators. Geared for Grades 6–12, this resource defines performance-based assessments (PBAs) and illustrates how using PBAs can help teachers target specific academic goals for students and foster positive, productive, and practical learning experiences.

Using easy-to-understand terms, the book leads educators through an assessment process that is fully integrated with the daily curriculum and that can result in significantly improved student performance. The author provides a template for recording assessment data, demonstrates how to create rubrics for teacher/student use, and offers standards-based examples featuring classroom teachers' insights. Readers will discover how to implement:

1. Preassessments to collect baseline data
2. Formative assessments that yield progress-monitoring data
3. Summative assessments for gathering data that is easy to use

Complete with checklists, frequently asked questions, graphic organizers, activities, and additional resources, Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades 6–12 is an ideal tool for engaging students in the learning process.

About The Author:
Nancy P. Gallavan is professor of teacher education in the MAT program at the University of Central Arkansas. She worked as an elementary and middle school teacher in the St. Vrain Valley and Cherry Creek School Districts of Colorado for twenty years while earning her master’s degree from the University of Colorado and her PhD from the University of Denver. Prior to her current position, she was an associate professor of teacher education specializing in social studies and multicultural education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Gallavan has authored more than sixty publications, including books, chapters, and articles in professional education journals. Her books include Secrets to Success for Elementary School Teachers (2007) and Secrets to Success for Social Studies Teachers (2008) with Ellen Kottler and What Principals Need to Know About Teaching Social Studies (2003). She is active in the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).