Re: assessment question

[Sara Kimball <skimball@uts.cc.utexas.edu>]

On Wed, 9 Jul 1997, James E. Werchan wrote:

> hi scott,
> 
> wow! good luck on this one. pretty much anything by Ed White will give a
> good grip on the ins and outs of assessment.
> 
> the territory you've been assigned to explore is pretty dangerous.  it's
> called, in some contexts, the "rising junior exam" and in some states its
> legislated.  For example, in all Texas public institutions (as memory serves
> after seven years), there's a standardized exam, the writing component of
> which is partly multiple-choice usage and style questions (BOO!) , but also
> a holistically-evaluated writing sample. 

Not at this Texas public institution, James, but I share your skepticism
about such exams.  Personally, I'd put the money that would have to be
spent into supporting students and teachers.

Sara Kimball
UT Austin