Assessment & Accountability


Desire2Learn Unveils Learning Suite 9.0

Desire2Learn is publicly unveiling a major update to its Learning Suite this week, including the Learning Repository and ePortfolio.

Maple T.A. 6 Adds Moodle Support

Maplesoft has announced the release of Maple T.A. 6, the newest version of its Maple T.A. testing and assessment software.

Qwizdom To Ship Large-Screen Classroom Clicker

Ed tech developer Qwizdom will launch a new wireless student response system next month, one that offers a 2.3-inch (diagonal) LCD screen and cell phone-style keypad for student interaction and formative testing on the fly.

South Dakota Initiates Pilot Program for Statewide Writing Assessment

The South Dakota Department of Education the spring will launch a new pilot program designed to improve statewide formative writing tests.

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NAEP: Reading Scores Flat at Grade 4, Up Slightly at Grade 8

Despite nearly two decades of policy and investment focused on closing academic achievement gaps and improving overall student achievement, reading scores on the NAEP 2009 assessment among fourth- and eighth-grade students have barely budged since 1992. And between the two most recent assessments (2007 and 2009), fourth-grade scores were flat, while eighth-grade scores increased just one point, returning to 2002's level.

A Quicker Clicker

At the start of this school year, the Northwest Independent School District in Justin, TX, issued 3,300 netbooks to its high school students. Each of them also received his or her very own “clicker.”

An 'A' in Abstractions

If a district head or state superintendent wanted to intensify the focus of his curriculum on 21st century skills, he would do well to pay a visit to Tucson’s Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD).

Perception Assessment Management Tool Streamlines UI, Expands Host Support

Questionmark has released the newest version of its Perception assessment management software. Version 5, available now, adds auto-sizing and auto-sensing, which together automatically reformat any assessment or survey issued with the software to the size and specs conducive to the medium on which the content is being viewed, be it a full-sized computer screen, a smaller netbook screen, or even an iPhone.

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By the Book: Exploring One School's Success with a Technology-Based Reading Program

Pam Howard is no stranger to technology-based reading programs. In fact, this principal believes in such applications so much that she brings them with her when she takes on positions at new schools. For example, when she accepted the position of principal at Burleson Elementary in El Paso, TX, in 2008, Howard knew it wouldn't be long before a high number of the school's 337 students would be shifting to a technology-based reading program she'd previously used at three different schools.

Reazon Systems Launches Sakai Module for Student Assessment

Reazon Systems has released a student assessment module that works with the Sakai open source course management system. iRubric for Sakai integrates with Sakai CLE (collaborative learning environment) to perform rubric generation, assessment, and reporting. Users can access the functionality directly from the Sakai gradebook.

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