Developing and Measuring Higher Order Skills: Models for State Performance Assessment Systems
Abstract
"This report discusses four models for integrating performance-based components into assessment systems, all of which have been used successfully at scale in states and nations around the world. It also discusses what is needed to assure validity, reliability, and comparability in the use of such assessments. These models--which can also be combined in various ways--include:
- Performance items or tasks as part of traditional 'sit-down' tests.
- Curriculum-embedded tasks that are implemented in the classroom during the school year, assessing more complex sets of skills.
- Portfolios or collections of evidence that aggregate multiple tasks to display a broad set of competencies in multiple domains or genres.
- Comprehensive assessment systems that include traditional sit-down tests, curriculum-embedded tasks, and portfolios and exhibitions leading to a student defense, each serving distinctive complementary purposes."
