Early Childhood Assessment:
Information for Early Childhood
Program Administrators
1
Overview
2

What and why it is important

Early Childhood vs. K-12 assessment

Types of child assessment systems

Support to staff

Use of data

Equipment, materials, resources

Parent Involvement

Role of Massachusetts Department of Early
Education and Care
What is Early Childhood Assessment?
3

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
and parent checklists and child and
parent interviews

Child screening vs. assessment
Why is Early Childhood Assessment
Important?
Growing emphasis on early childhood
assessment
 Better decisions regarding teaching and
learning
 Identifying children
with special needs
 Program Improvement

4
What about a child is assessed?
5

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
How does early childhood assessment
differ from K-12th grade assessment?
6

Kindergarten – 12th grade assessment
places emphasis on academic knowledge

Early childhood assessment places emphasis
on all aspects of a child’s development
How does early childhood assessment differ
from K-12th grade assessment continued…
7

K-12th grade assessment uses mainly tests,
quizzes and essays.

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
Choosing an Appropriate
Assessment System

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A well-designed assessment system:
* Considers all domains of child
development
* Is developmentally appropriate
* Aligned with your curriculum and the
state’s early learning standards
* Reliable, valid, and fair
* Captures growth over a period of time
Training Opportunities on Early
Childhood Assessment

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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/ProfessionalDev
elopment/WebFindTraining.aspx
Ways to Support Your Staff in the
Assessment Process
12

Confidential observations

Assistance in writing summary
statements

ELL staff and observations

Computer access

Staff meeting agenda item

Time for training and implementation

Staff planning time
Using Child Assessment Data






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Evaluate effectiveness
Staff support
Better inform parents
Assist in child transitions
Identify children who need
special services
Program improvement
Suggested Equipment, Materials,
and Resources
14

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
How can Parents be Involved in the
Early Childhood Assessment
Process?




15
Enrollment
On-site developmental screenings
Parent Checklists
Parent/Teacher conferences
What is Massachusetts currently doing
around early childhood assessment?

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Project
*

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Assessment Planning Grants
More information: www.eec.state.ma.us
UPK Eligible Child Assessment Tools
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
Creative Curriculum’s Developmental
Continuum or CreativeCurriculum.net

Work Sampling System

High Scope Child Observation Record

Ages and Stages Questionnaire
In closing…


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Suggested articles specific to early
childhood assessment
Contact at the Dept. of Early Education
and Care:
Jennifer Louis
Dept. of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper St., 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
(617)988-6640
Jennifer.Louis@state.ma.us