Narrate the steps involved in Building Quality Assessment.

This report demonstrates that alternative assessments, nonstandardized ways of assessment, are more comprehensive ways of exhibiting student achievement. Alternative assessment includes such things as portfolios, checklists, rubrics, surveys, student-involved assignments,
and reflections. The population for this study consisted of fifth, seventh, and eighth grade classes at three different schools. One class was a special education class of only five students; the others were classes of approximately 21 students. Alternative assessment skills were assessed and documented to determine an increase in student involvement and enthusiasm. While standardized tests have generally focused on the final answer, alternative assessments emphasize the learning process. The solution strategies suggested by this study include the use of portfolios, questionnaires, rubrics, student self-assessments, and student and teacher reflections on the learning experience. These assessment skills were taught in the classes and reinforced throughout the intervention process. Postintervention data indicate that using these various types of assessment is a more complete, and more importantly, more authentic assessment of student achievement. (Contains 8 figures and 18 references.) (SLD)