Educators are constantly searching for effective ways to improve student learning and enhance student outcomes.(Editorial)(Editorial)

Educators are constantly searching for effective ways to improve student learning and enhance student outcomes. Two techniques used to support students in the K-16 classroom are employing consultative and collaborative strategies and appropriate assessment methods. In this issue, these topics have been combined to demonstrate different perspectives, experiences, and procedures for successfully meeting student and faculty needs.

Assessment and consultation are brought together in Assistive technology: A collaborative approach. The formation of the Partnership for Assistive Technology (PAT) will address the diverse needs for assistive technology use for college students with disabilities. Larwood illustrates a program of consultation and collaboration between "Deaf Role Models" and early intervention programs for deaf students. Teacher development through assessment is analyzed in Kayler's manuscript; exit portfolios are discussed as they relate to teachers' professional growth.

Assessment of students is addressed specifically by Labissiere and Reynolds in Knowing our students: A prior learning assessment. This case study is presented to assist faculty to better serve the diverse population of students in higher education. Similarly, recommendations for assessing English learners are presented by Lopez to assist teachers in improving student outcomes. A detailed paper, by Martin, describes the latent semantic analysis metric that can assist university programs with their outcomes and objectives.

Educators are no longer able to work in isolation--even in testing. Three professors from the College of Charleston, South Carolina present a collaborative testing and academic achievement model which demonstrates that collaborative testing alone has a significant positive association with test performance that varies by the level of cognitive processing in the test question.

Several articles present successful collaborative ...