This project moves us one small step closer to a world where student use of a computer for routine assignments is commonplace. Our contribution is the development of templates (for Microsoft Word and Inspiration 6) for use by students at a computer, giving an option to the "paper and pencil" test. We need to make the necessary changes because computer technology can change the way children communicate - and this is particularly true for some students who now have difficulties with traditional forms of communication. The more options we have as teachers and learners the greater will be our accomplishments. (One organization providing background on this is CAST.)

This project also moves us a closer to having district wide science assessment tools. We can begin to look at student science work from different schools. This has been a challenge for science specialists, as we work isolated from each other.

No way could this project have reached publication without our use of technology. First, we are a district wide team, working in schools scattered all over Boston and email exchanges have replaced some meetings. Second, technology was key in obtaining appropriate artwork for the assessment items. We used clipart. We scanned original artwork. We took digital photos. We scanned tracings of digital photos. We edited our artwork, needed to make the transitions to html documents. Third, we are publishing in a variety of ways: print, CD, and online. (Online, the publication can be viewed or downloaded - and so we are freed a little from the process of filing and finding important documents. Online publication means an updated version is always available - we will continue to collect and publish online more student work.)

We are all grateful to the MetroLINC funding which has been sponsoring our progress for several years now. Several members of this team are charter members (being there the first summer at Madison Park). In particular, we are grateful to MetroLINC and our principals for the times we were able to come together and work all day as a team.