1 early childhood assessment: information for educators
TRANSCRIPT
1
Early Childhood Assessment:
Information for Educators
2
Overview
What and why it is important
Early Childhood vs. K-12 assessment
Types of child assessment systems
Training opportunities
Equipment, materials, resources
Parent Involvement
Role of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
3
What is Early Childhood Assessment?
Process of observing, recording, and documenting work of children
Allows educators to make the best decisions for the child
Methods can include standardized tests observations, child portfolios, teacher or parent checklists and child-parent interviews
Child screening vs. assessment
Why is Early Childhood Assessment Important?
4
Increasing attention to how children are progressing
Measuring young children’s progress is different from other ages
Improves interactions and teaching Identifies children with special needs
What about a child is assessed?
Emotional/Social: expressing feelings, forming friendships, resolving conflicts with others
Language: listening and talking
Physical: using pencils (fine motor skills), climbing and running (gross motor skills)
Cognitive: numbers, colors, and patterns
Approaches to Learning: curiosity and excitement about learning and ways of learning new information
5
How does early childhood assessment differ from K-12th grade assessment?
K – 12th grade assessment places emphasis on academic knowledge
Early childhood assessment places emphasis on all aspects of a child’s development
6
7
How does early childhood assessment differ from K-12th grade assessment continued…
K-12th grade assessment uses mainly tests, quizzes and standardized tests.
Early childhood assessment uses child observations, developmental checklists and child portfolios
Both are used to guide decisions about…* Child interventions* Resources
Types of Child Assessment Systems
Program-developed child assessment tools
*Pros
*Cons
8
Types of Child Assessment Systems cont…
Published (or packaged) child assessment tools
*Pros
*Cons
9
Training Opportunities on Early Childhood Assessment
Opportunities for staff to better understand early childhood assessment* College courses* Training by publishers* Offerings through local Child Care
Resource and Referral Agency* EEC Professional Development
calendar: www.eec.state.ma.us/ProfessionalDevelopment/WebFindTraining.aspx
10
Suggested Equipment, Materials, and Resources
Equipment: computer, printer, digital camera, high-speed internet
Materials: notebooks for portfolios, photo paper, paper, clip boards, post-it notes
Resources: assessment tool-kits, books/articles on early childhood assessment
11
How can Parents be Involved in the Early Childhood Assessment Process?
Enrollment On-site developmental screenings Parent Checklists Parent/Teacher conferences
12
What is Massachusetts currently doing around early childhood assessment?
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Project
* Assessment Planning Grants
More information: www.eec.state.ma.us
13
UPK Eligible Child Assessment Tools
Creative Curriculum’s Developmental Continuum or CreativeCurriculum.net
Work Sampling System
High Scope Child Observation Record
Ages and Stages Questionnaire
14
In closing…
Suggested articles specific to early childhood assessment
Contact at the Dept. of Early Education and Care:
Jennifer LouisDept. of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper St., 4th FloorBoston, MA 02210
(617)[email protected]
15