Something that I haven't used formally in class, but am a huge fan of are portfolios as an assessment. Portfolio assessment is a collection of student work created in response to specific, known instructional objectives and evaluated in relation to the same criteria. The beauty of using portfolios is that it can be individualized. All students have different educational needs and goals. With portfolios, you use a top down method and plan accordingly. 

Portfolios also encourage self-monitoring skills and organizational techniques. It allows students to reflect and challenge themselves. Portfolios are a long process and a form of an assessment that requires persistence and lots of planning which may discourage teachers, however, the end results are rewarding. 

Here is a brief overview with some tips on portfolio assessments.

Something that we do use at my school is the use of an online portfolio in regards to career assessments and a student's transition from high school to their career. Through choices360.com, we are able to keep track of assessments, resumes, cover letters, etc. Students are able to review things that they have accomplished and connect it to their new goals. I believe that the use of portfolios and the variety that can be used in the classroom greatly affect a student's performance in a positive way.