Curriculum-based Assessment: A Primer

Thoroughly updated and expanded, this fourth edition focuses on the use of curriculum-based assessment to ensure learning disabled and low-achieving students adequate educational opportunities. The text explores ways of providing detail and explanation in the context of current and emerging issues in educational assessment and standards. The point that educational success is more than just avoiding failure is emphasized, and throughout the book, precise definitions and examples of various instructional situations are presented. Shifting emphasis from identifying deficit areas to finding and inventorying skills and abilities, CBA requires an intimate relationship between teaching and testing. To help the instructor achieve this balance, the author offers examples and methods of implementation through reading and arithmetic activities and discusses at length the issues involved in test validity and grading. The primary objective of curriculum-based assessment is the success of students, and much of the book is devoted to its two primary steps: finding the level on the curriculum where the student can succeed and then incorporating assessment practices in the daily teaching activities so that success is an ongoing affair. To further update this edition, two additional new chapters have been added: “The Paradox of Setting Standards by Grade Level” and “Assessing Writing.” The book’s simple format, readability, and detailed descriptions of instructional methodology make it a significant resource. Designed to assist instructors, curriculum persons, special educators, and administrators, the book will also be helpful to researchers, counselors, social workers, and other professionals in human service organizations.