Chapter 14 Using the Portfolio to Conference with Families and Looking at the Child’s Interactions with Adults “Families are the authorities on the child. They lend them to us and we pay them back with interest.” ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL • Daily contacts – “What to Do with It” – Personal – Descriptive – Positive • Ethical responsibilities to families ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Written Communication • • • • • • Family Handbook – Philosophy, policies Newsletters – Events, sharing Happy Notes – Individual successes Documentation Panels – Project history Technology – E-mail, Web site Traveling Journals – Child/Family involvement • Progress Reports – Periodic updates of development ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. PROGRESS REPORT − CHILD STUDY • Positive, descriptive, personal • Review of all areas of development • Substantiated by documents in the portfolio • Working on… Developmental Plan • Basis for family conference or child/family conference ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What to Do with It • Program policies may: – Be given to family at the end of the year – Go with child to next school or classroom – Be kept by program ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. LOOKING AT THE CHILD’S INTERACTIONS WITH ADULTS • Prevention of difficulties – Preparing the environment – Realistic expectations – Active listening • Reaction and resolution of behavior difficulties – Possible cause – Positive “can do” statements ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. TOPICS IN OBSERVATION: Does the Week by Week Plan Meet NAEYC Guidelines for Assessment? 1. Ethical principles guide practice. 2. Instruments used as intended. 3. Assessments appropriate for age. 4. Instruments are in compliance with profession. 5. Assessment is developmentally significant. 6. Evidence is used to support learning. 7. Evidence gathered in naturalistic settings and real performance. 8. Assessments use multiple sources gathered over time. 9. Screening is always linked to follow-up. 10. Use of tests is limited. 11. Staff and families are knowledgeable about assessment. ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Helping All Children through Home School Communications • Children from Diverse Backgrounds – Language interpretation – Cultural awareness and competence • Children with Special Needs – Learn about different abilities – Understand and follow IEP – Work cooperatively with therapists • Helping Professionals ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Standard Related to Informing Families NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Principle 2.2 We shall inform families of program philosophy, policies, curriculum, assessment system, and personnel qualifications, and explain why we teach as we do – which should be in accordance with our ethical responsibilities to children. ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.