Research on Integrated Performance Assessment at the Post-Secondary Level: Student Performance Across the Modes of Communication

This article reports on a performance-based assessment research project conducted at the US Air Force Academy during the 2004–2005 academic year. The primary purpose of the research project was to measure post-secondary students’ progress towards meeting the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century – specifically the three modes of communication. The article explains how Integrated Performance Assessment measures learners’ language performance in light of current research in foreign language assessment. The paper demonstrates a sample Integrated Performance Assessment for a post-secondary Spanish culture and civilization course, and shares data on the students’ performance for the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication. Correlational data on the impact of middle and high school language learning on post-secondary language performance is also shared. Finally, the paper argues that, unlike traditional testing formats, integrated performance assessment connects teaching, learning, and assessment seamlessly.