First published in 2004. Measuring the outcomes of educational practices is a modern phenomenon. Valuing their worth is as old as philosophy itself. It is the singular value of this collection of papers set in context and introduced by Ernest House that it holds in dynamic equilibrium both the measurement and the valuing sides of educational evaluation. This book will appeal to the student who will find the theoretical analysis of educational evaluation in its several meanings, suggested practices and also the specialist will also find much, not least a critical and challenging appreciation of educational evaluation theory and practice as it faces the problems of the final decades of the twentieth century.

Evaluation sends a message. It points to what is valued and ignores what is not perceived to be important. Educational evaluation--testing and assessment--has been telling students, teachers, administrators, and legislators that the system values rote memorization and passive recognition of single correct answers.