The MATSEC Examinations Board has recently published the proceedings of the Second ACEAB International Conference which was hosted in Malta by the Ministry of Education and the University of Malta between March 18 and 22, 2002. The proceedings were edited by F. Ventura and G. Grima. The ACEAB was set up in 1998 with the main aim of providing a forum for exchange of information and views on examinations and accreditation. Malta's MATSEC Examinations Board was one of the founding members and currently, Dr Grace Grima, the Principal Research and Development Officer, is a member of the executive council.

The conference discussed two themes: 1. New perspectives on the issues of quality, equity and fairness in assessment as a higher proportion of students aspire for certification of their diverse skills and abilities; and 2. Classroom assessment and how teachers and learners can be empowered to make a valid assessment of the work carried out when the learners are still developing their skills and acquiring new knowledge.

This mode of assessment is becoming increasingly important as assessment experts realise that written examinations can only assess a limited range of skills, at best.

The publication includes 27 papers that relate to these themes: 16 focus on the issues of quality, equity and fairness in assessment and 11 focus on classroom assessments. These papers contribute in different ways to our endeavour to improve the multi-faceted activities related to assessment practices. This publication comes at an appropriate time when we are in the process of devising strategies for implementing the new National Curriculum for ages five to 16, which promotes the use of school-based assessment and formative assessment from the early stages of the primary school and throughout the period of compulsory education.

The publication, Contemporary Issues in Educational Assessment is of interest to educational professionals involved in the planning, delivery and assessment of the curriculum at primary, secondary and tertiary education. It is of specific interest to those specialising in the field of assessment. This publication is available from the MATSEC Support Unit of the University of Malta.