Summary

"In an era where buzzwords like ′assessment′ and ′accountability′ are used every day in our school systems, a book like this is long overdue. The author clearly explains important terminology while providing easy-to-understand ways to engage in quality assessment in any elementary classroom." --Jennifer Sinsel, Elementary Gifted TeacherBostic Traditional Magnet School, Andover, KS

Use PBAs to design learning experiences that increase student engagement and achievement!

There is nothing more rewarding than the moment when a student "gets it." Helping educators reach that goal, Nancy P. Gallavan demonstrates how performance-based assessments (PBAs) can help create stimulating teaching and learning environments in elementary classrooms.

This easy-to-understand guide explains how to construct assessments that effectively measure learner performance and allow educators to align curriculum and instruction with students′ needs. With PBAs, teachers can engage students in the learning process, connect the learning to students′ individual lives, and monitor learning outcomes. The author provides:

Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades K-5 is a valuable asset for facilitating learning experiences with rewarding outcomes.

Choice Review

Performance-based assessments (PBA) are the keystone to facilitating learning experiences in the K-5 classroom. As Gallavan notes, flipping the switch that then helps a student "get it" can be very rewarding for a teacher. This practical guide is filled with clear examples and rubrics, and is a must-have for teachers interested in performance-based assessment. Chapters include topics such as the purpose of PBA, ways to use PBA to increases student engagement, and when to use PBA. Gallavan includes a useful discussion of the difference between assessment and evaluation. This is an easy to understand guide for constructing assessments that effectively measure learner performance while allowing educators to align curriculum and instruction with students needs. Gallavan (Univ. of Central Arkansas) has designed highly functional charts and graphic organizers, as well as rubric development charts, that apply to virtually any assessment situation. Finally, an author who promotes student learning with measurable assessment. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, research, and professional collections. G. L. Willhite University of Wisconsin - La Crosse