Recording system alternatives include checklists of attributes present or absent in performance, rating scales reflecting a range in performance quality, anecdotal records that describe performance or mental record keeping. Each offers advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific assessment context. Raters of performance can include the teacher, another expert, students as evaluators of each other's performance or students as evaluators of their own performance. Again, the rater of choice is a function of context. However, it has become clear that performance assessment represents a powerful teaching tool when students play roles in devising criteria, learning to apply those criteria, devising exercises, and using assessment results to plan for the improvement of their own performance--all under the leadership of their teacher. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT IN THE GUIDANCE CONTEXT The ongoing guidance and counseling function in the school could bring student service personnel into contact with performance assessment methodology in three important ways. Very often, other education professionals regard counselors as sources of expertise in assessment and may bring request for opinions about the value of this methodology, or they may ask for help in the design and development of performance assessments. Or counselors might be invited to serve as raters of student performance in specific academic disciplines. If and when such opportunities arise, thorough training is essential for all who are to serve in this capacity. If the teachers issuing this invitation have developed or gleaned from their professional literature refined visions of the meaning of academic success, have transformed them into quality criteria and provide quality training for all who are to observe and evaluate student performance, this can be a very rewarding professional experience. If these standards are not met, it is wise to urge (and perhaps help with) a redevelo...
