1 early childhood assessment: information for educators

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Early Childhood Assessment:

Information for Educators

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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Types of Child Assessment Systems cont…

Published (or packaged) child assessment tools

*Pros

*Cons

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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

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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

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How can Parents be Involved in the Early Childhood Assessment Process?

Enrollment On-site developmental screenings Parent Checklists Parent/Teacher conferences

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What is Massachusetts currently doing around early childhood assessment?

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Project

* Assessment Planning Grants

More information: www.eec.state.ma.us

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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

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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)988-6640Jennifer.Louis@state.ma.us

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