Alternative Assessment Techniques

3. Reading Logs
   

   Have students keep a log of all their independent reading at school and at home. The log should include works completed and works started but not completed. In addition to the name of the book (article, etc.) and author, the log should include personal reactions to the selection. Periodic discussions of these logs will provide insight on how the student is developing as an independent reader and suggest ways in which the teacher can give added encouragement. These logs can be placed in students' portfolios.

4. Checklists
   

   Checklists can be completed by both readers and students. For example, a checklist can be used by a teacher to assess word and letter knowledge. The first step is to develop a list of the concepts to be tested. The student is then asked to demonstrate understanding of these concepts using a real book.

   The teacher uses the checklist to identify those concepts that have been mastered and those that need further work. Students can use checklists to review their own work. Teachers and students can prepare a list of specific skills that need to be worked on (for example, a capital letter at the beginning of each sentence), and students can then use this list to check their own work.