Featuring a comprehensive six-step process for moving from standards to rubrics, this updated bestseller helps teachers build tasks, checklists, and rubrics; differentiate for special needs; and more.

Kay Burke provides a detailed six-step walk-through for creating successful student learning tasks and assessment rubrics linked to state standards and NCLB. A CD-ROM with templates is included.

This compact volume combines research, practice, and innovative thinking to illustrate how strategic application of data enhances leadership practices and significantly improves curriculum, instruction, and schoolwide performance.

Create assessments that meet state standards and target students’ learning needs! In this revised edition of her bestseller, Kay Burke provides a wide range of easy-to-implement alternative assessments that address today’s accountability requirements. Designed for use across all content areas, these formative assessments are rooted in the language of state standards and emphasize differentiating instruction to meet students’ diverse learning needs. Updated research and examples help K–12 teachers: Build Response to Intervention checklists for struggling students Develop unit plans using differentiated learning and assessment strategies Create portfolios that emphasize metacognition Design performance tasks that motivate and engage students Construct rubrics that describe indicators of quality work Create tests that focus on higher-order thinking skills

"As a new teacher, I am always looking for ideas that will make me feel more confident. Using a portfolio will help me show evidence that the students are making progress toward meeting state standards." —Stephanie Jones, Teacher Forrest City High School, AR "A good overview of the entire portfolio process, from its philosophical foundations to the celebration of student achievement." —Michael F. Dwyer, English Department Chair Otter Valley Union High School, Brandon, VT Encourage student creativity and academic growth through portfolios and authentic assessment! Research and practice show that portfolios are powerful tools for assessing students authentically, communicating with parents about the learning process, and helping learners across all grade levels and content areas record their successes and take ownership of their learning. The third edition of The Portfolio Connection offers practical advice and reader-friendly strategies for implementing student portfolios in the classroom. Through step-by-step procedures, the authors help teachers incorporate standards into the portfolio process by providing expanded checklists and rubrics to monitor student progress. The updated edition also includes: Additional information on e-portfolios and integrating technology Steps for conducting student-led conferences Portfolio examples for children with special needs Guidance on increasing parent involvement Information on the impact of NCLB on student assessment Discover how you can use portfolios to heighten students′ self-reflection while expanding their critical and creative thinking skills.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a teacher, the author shares quick, clear, and easy rubrics for accessing students' work. These ideas will help students learn the qualities of a good performance and give parents a detailed picture of their children's progress.