Customer Reviews

Classroom Assessment: What Teachers Need to Know (5th Edition)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Popham's work is some of the easiest-to-read, least jargon filled, in the area of designing classroom tests. Chapter by chapter, he takes the reader through the different kinds of test questions, how to write them, how to grade them, how to tell if your students understand what you're asking; then he provides case studies, examples, and lists of further reading.

The easy kinds of questions come first: selected-response, that is, questions where the test-taker picks an answer from ones provided by the teacher, such as multiple-choice, true-false, and matching. Popham explains how to write these clearly, how to reduce the confusion on the direction of true-false questions (and why it's NOT a good idea to try and "trick" your students by writing ambiguous or deliberately confusing answers).

Then the constructed-response type of questions, that is, ones where students write the answers: short-answer and essay. Again, Popham discusses how to write these clearly, how to write instructions indicating what kind of answer you expect, and, perhaps most important, especially for the novice teacher, how to grade these types of questions. He goes through the issue of "rubrics" - grading systems for essay questions which tell how many points will be given for different features of the answer, such as the value of the information, the spelling and grammar, the use of certain key words, etc, and how to decide what will constitute an "excellent" or "acceptable" or "not acceptable" answer in those categories.

One of the most extensive and informative features of the book is Popham's sidebars on how to explain to students why they have to take these kinds of tests, and, even more, how to explain tests to parents, especially standardized tests. Explaining to parents what the tests are supposed to measure, and how test results will be used, is a very big issue these days, especially in states with high-stakes testing; Popham's book will give you practice in addressing questions from parents, administrators, etc.

I had to buy this book to use in a class I'm taking. I find the information in the book to be very complete and packed full of useful information. However, in an effort to lighten the heaviness of the topic, the author resorts to silly interjections and comments that destroy the flow of the text. I found it jarring and annoying.

I think the book is an easy read text. I had to order it for my college course. If you are an experienced teacher, then there really is no new information in here if you are up to date on assessment strategies. However, for a new teacher, it would be helpful.

This book helps educators to understand better the world of standards under the NCLB Act. It gives examples and real situations on how to apply standards in the classroom.

Popham has a realistic approach to the topic and writes with his audience in mind. The writing is engaging and informative.

This textbook was a great purchase. I am working on getting my Master's Degree and this book is required. The author is very knowledgeable with the information that is provided in the text. A worthwhile textbook to have to refer to when needed.

I found this book to be refreshingly easy to read. Popham's personality shows through as he takes the reader through the paces if an admittedly dry subject. I am a graduate teaching student getting initial certification and have been substitute teaching for over two years. Most of the books and articles I have been assigned to read are purely informational; it is refreshing to read a book that reflects the author's voice so well without losing any of the important details of the subject.

I love this book. It is very interesting. I will keep it when I become a teacher to look back on.

Before reading this book, I was at a loss in my classroom as to how to use assessments to monitor progress, evaluate my instructional methods, and to be sure that students were mastering the content. Mr. Popham gives precise research based strategies to do ALL these things and MORE. Most books on assessment are dry and so dense you loathe having to read them but Mr. Popham exceeded my expectations in this respect. I don't know how he did it but the text is informational and humorous at the same time. I actually laughed out loud at some of his expressions...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I would suggest this text for any school district that wants to understand the fallibility of standardized/high-stakes tests and wants to be sure that students learn the content represented on these tests and not just how to take the test.

I'm writing this in response to a couple of other reviewers who didn't like the author's writing style. I'm currently using this book for a class, and I'm thrilled to actually be enjoying a textbook for a change. I find the comments hilarious. In addition, the book offers good, practical advice, with very little useless background information. I'm finding this book a totally refreshing change from what I've been subjected to in education textbooks so far.