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This volume covers a study of the utility of alternative (i.e., non-multiple choice) forms of student assessment for vocational education, the primary objective of which was to describe various alternative assessments currently available and offer criteria for choosing among them. Six operational programs were used as case studies; each employs one or more constructed-response measures, and together they represent a range of assessment options. Each was critically reviewed based on descriptive materials, research literature, interviews, and, in four cases, site visits. The evaluation focused on comparing the different assessments' quality (reliability, validity, fairness), feasibility (cost, time, complexity, credibility), and potential usefulness for vocational educators. Design and implementation issues important to any decisions about using alternative assessments were determined (e.g., the need to clarify the assessment's purpose), as well as related issues (e.g., the relative advantages of low versus high stakes, voluntary versus mandatory participation). Illustrations are given of how vocational educators can use this review as an aid in determining the usefulness of the alternatives for a particular situation.

Table of Contents

  • Preface

  • Figures

  • Tables

  • Summary

  • Acknowledgements

    Acknowledgments

  • Chapter One

    Introduction

  • Chapter Two

    The Assessment Challenge Facing Vocational Education

  • Chapter Three

    Types of Assessment

  • Chapter Four

    Criteria for Comparing Assessments: Quality and Feasibility

  • Chapter Five

    Other Issues in Assessment Planning

  • Chapter Six

    Discussion

  • Appendix A

    Career-Technical Assessment Program

  • Appendix B

    Kentucky Instructional Results Information System (KIRIS)

  • Appendix C

    Laborers-AGC Environmental Training and Certification Programs

  • Appendix D

    National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Program

  • Appendix E

    Oklahoma Department of Vocational-Technical Education Competency-Based Testing Program

  • Appendix F

    Vocational/Industrial Clubs of America National Competition

  • References

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Monograph report series. The monograph/report was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1993 to 2003. RAND monograph/reports presented major research findings that addressed the challenges facing the public and private sectors. They included executive summaries, technical documentation, and synthesis pieces.

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