This file presents definitions from the Thesaurus of ERIC 
Descriptors and the ERIC Identifier Authority List pertaining
to concepts related to Alternative Assessment.  When Identifiers 
do not name proper nouns, they name and describe concepts 
which are being tested for ERIC Descriptor status, i.e., for 
permanent inclusion in our thesaurus.  Hence, the definitions 
for the Identifiers below are the current "working", but not 
final, ERIC definitions.

In general, we can say that alternative assessment updates
the formerly used term "informal assessment", with the exception
that is is undergoing some formal contemporary applications. 
Authentic assessment is a particular context for alternative
assessment in that authentic assessments explicitly simulate 
real-world problem-solving situations.  Alternative assessment 
and authentic assessment both belong to the broader class called
performance based assessment because they both describe methods 
of student evaluation which are based upon the students' own
constructed responses and other creations.
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ERIC DEFINITIONS FOR CONCEPTS RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT:

Alternative Assessment - (Identifier) - Assessment in some form 
other than multiple choice, standardized tests, e.g., constructed 
responses, open-ended essays with no single correct answer, 
portfolios that are collections of students' work over time, and 
project work that involves collaboration with peers.

Authentic Assessment - (Identifier) - Student assessment in which 
knowledges and skills are measured using the real world 
environment, rather than standardized tests.

Informal Assessment - (Descriptor) - Appraisal of an individual
or group's status or growth by means other than standardized
instruments. (term dates officially to 1977)

Performance Based Evaluation -  no official working definition 
in ERIC; however, the best definition that we can locate is from
the Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress (1992):
Performance Assessment is testing that requires a student to 
create an answer or a product that demonstrates his or her 
knowledge or skills. 

Portfolio Assessment - (Descriptor) - Systematic collection of a 
student's work samples, records of observation, test results, etc.,
over a period of time for the purpose of evaluating student growth 
and achievement  - used occasionally with populations other than 
students. (term dates officially from 1994)

Portfolios (Background Materials) - (Descriptor)- Collections 
of records, letters of reference, work samples, etc., documenting 
skills, capabilities, and past experiences. (term dates officially
from 1978)