1 Early Childhood Assessment: Information for Parents

2 Overview What and why Parent Involvement Early Childhood Assessment vs. K-12 Assessment Role of Massachusetts Dept. of Early Education and Care

3 What is Early Childhood Assessment? Process of observing, recording, and documenting work of children Allows teachers to making the best educational decisions for the child Takes place in family child care homes, centers, Head Start and public school preschools Methods can include standardized tests observations, child portfolios, teacher and parent checklists and child and parent interviews Child screening vs. assessment Never used for high-stakes decisions

Why is Early Childhood Assessment Important? 4 Growing emphasis on early childhood assessment Better decisions regarding teaching and learning Identifying children with special needs Program Improvement

What about a child is assessed? Emotional/Social: getting along with their friends, resolving conflicts with friends Language: listening, speaking Physical: using pencils (fine motor skills), climbing and running (gross motor skills) Cognitive: numbers, shapes, colors, patterns Approaches to Learning: curiosity and excitement about learning and ways of learning new information 5

How does Early Childhood Assessment Differ from K-12 Assessment? K – 12 th grade assessment places emphasis on academic knowledge Early childhood assessment places emphasis on all aspects of a childs development 6

7 How does Early Childhood Assessment Differ from K-12 Assessment continued… K-12 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… * What is taught in the classroom * How teachers are trained

8 How can Parents be Involved in the Early Childhood Assessment Process? Parents can provide feedback on childs growth and development at home Parents can support childs learning and development at home Parents and teachers/caregivers can work together to help children with special needs.

What can I do if my child care program does not use early childhood assessment? You can ask questions about * How the provider knows your child is developing like they should, and * How the provider is measuring your childs development. 9

What else can I ask providers about? Ask questions about * A time for parents to discuss a childs growth and development * How you can learn more about what your child is learning * Beliefs about child assessment * Involvement with Universal Pre-K pilot 10

What is Massachusetts currently doing around early childhood assessment? Universal Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Project * Purpose * Goals * Assessment Planning Grants 11

Finally… Suggested articles specific to early childhood assessment Contact at the Dept. of Early Education and Care: Jennifer Louis Dept. of EEC 51 Sleeper St., 4 th Floor Boston, MA (617)