Dianne Wall

It is widely believed that one of the most effective ways of creating change in an education system is by introducing or by re-designing high-stakes examinations. This method is not foolproof, however, as there are many factors which can affect the impact of such an innovation. This study analyses the effects of an examination which was meant to serve as a 'lever for change'. It illustrates how the intended outcome was altered by factors in the exam itself, as well as characteristics of the educational setting, the teachers and the learners. Included are reviews of the literature of examination impact and innovation in education, and guidelines for the consideration of educators who continue to believe in the potential of examinations to effect curriculum change.

Un libro escrito para el profesorado de idiomas que orienta acerca de la manera de preparar una evaluacion que incluya todos los niveles en los que debe aprenderse una lengua: desde la adecuada comprension y la habilidad para hacer construcciones gramaticales hasta la capacidad de argumentacion y del manejo de distintos registros (lenguaje juridico, periodistico, etc.), al mismo tiempo que muestra las deficiencias y las maneras de resolverlas.