One possibility for assessing student learning is to present them with a similar, yet related, problem. For example, in the Global/Sun Temperature Project after students have learned that the amount of daylight they experience is related to latitude they can be asked to make general predictions about the amount of daylight they will experience at different latitudes. Alternatively, students can be assessed by examining the material that they are asked to produce during the course of the project.

Consider these questions as you review your project.

• How will you determine if your students have met the standards and/or proficiency benchmarks?

• How exactly will you assess your students' learning, participation and performance for the project you have selected? 

• What specific parts of the project will you assess? Examples may include data analysis, project assignments, learned knowledge, learned skills, group work, and final product. 

• What methods will you use to assess student performance? Examples may include journals, rubrics and tests.

• Ask an Assessment Expert
• Assessment Strategies and Definitions - Good starting point for identifying assessment methods.
• Focus on Assessment: an article from Education Week - Clearinghouse for a range of assessment articles, research and opinions.
• Raising Standards Through Classroom Assessment - Firm evidence shows that formative assessment is an essential component of classroom work and that its development can raise standards of achievement.
• What Does Research Say About Assessment? - Survey of many different research projects and their findings on effective assessment methods.

Rubrics

• How to Create a Rubric from Scratch - Excellent step-by-step guide for creating your own rubrics.
• Introduction to Rubrics for Web Lessons - Brief overview of topics with some excellent examples at the bottom of the web page.
• Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Assessment Rubrics - Contains links to many different rubrics and assessment information.
• Rubistar Rubrics HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - THE place to check out to create your rubric
• Rubric Builder - Online tool which allows you to create your own rubrics and then add them to your own web site.
• Teach-nology Rubrics
• What Students Say About Rubrics - Interesting article with quotes from students about their use of rubrics.

Student Portfolios

• An Introduction to Science Portfolios - Great general overview with links to additional resources.
• California Science Portfolio Guidelines - Details information with good scoring rubrics (see bottom of web site).
• Chicago Public Schools Rubric Bank - Nice printable set of rubrics for a range of subjects.
• Electronic Portfolios: A New Idea in Assessment - Brief summary of the topic.
• Research project on Digital Portfolios by the Coalition of Essential Schools
• Sample Portfolios HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - collected by David Niguidula, THE expert in digital portfolios
• Student Portfolios: Classroom Uses - General resource from the Office of Research, U.S. Dept. of Education