WHAT PARENTS NEED TO WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AUTHENTIC KNOW ABOUT AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENTASSESSMENT

Carla BrownCFS 294

Western Kentucky University

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Overview Overview Define assessmentPurpose of assessment used in an

early childhood Define authentic assessment The importance of authentic

assessmentStrategies for collecting informationAdvocating for authentic

assessment

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AssessmentAssessment

“Assessment is the process of gathering

information about children from several

forms as of evidence, then organizing and

interpreting that information”. (McAfee,

Leong, &Bodrova, 2004, p. 3)

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Assessments …Assessments …Focus on the whole childFocus on ProgressInvolve the Child and FamilyProgram PlanningUse multiple sources to collect

information

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Authentic AssessmentAuthentic Assessment

“An assessment that uses some type of

performance by a child to demonstrate

understanding”

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Authentic AssessmentAuthentic AssessmentBased on a Developmental

Continuum Examples of what the child can

do Gives information that can be

used for planning

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Authentic Assessment Authentic Assessment continued…continued…Occurs in a natural setting Is linked directly to learning

◦Through teacher observation◦Teacher documentation ◦Teacher interpretation

Gives children the opportunity to link new information with prior knowledge

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Strategies for Collecting Strategies for Collecting Information Information InterviewsGamesWork SamplesPortfolios

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InterviewsInterviewsUsed to find out what the child

understands Unstructured vs. StructuredQuick assessmentsContinue questions to find out

moreGives the child time to think and

respond

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Games Games More one child can play Teachers can observe process

used for solving problemsMay be used for concepts or skillsDeveloped to assess skills

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Work Samples Work Samples Can be three-dimensionalPhotographsWritings/dictationsDrawingsVideo or audio tapings

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Portfolios Portfolios Store and interpret student

information Organized by developmental

domainSeveral types◦ Working portfolio◦ Evaluative portfolio◦ Showcase portfolio◦ Archival portfolio

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AdvocatingAdvocatingAssessments are conducted in

natural settingOngoingDemonstrates what the child can

doMeaningful for parents

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ResourcesResources

Meisels Samuel, J. And Sally Atkins-Burnett(2005). Developmental Screening in

Early Childhood A Guide. Washington, DC: National Association for the

Education of Young Children

Wortham, Sue, C. (2008). Assessment in Early Childhood Education. New Jersey:

Upper Saddle River

Coople, Carol and Bredekamp, . (2009). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in

Early Childhood Programs. Washington, DC: National Association for the

Education of Young Children .

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Carla Brown Carla Brown Produced as a class projectProduced as a class project

at Western Kentucky University at Western Kentucky University for CFS 294 – Fall 2009  for CFS 294 – Fall 2009 

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