Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-24-2019 02:45 PM
    Hello, 
    I work in a private/independent school in California. I teach the toddler class with children 2-3 years old. Twice a year I write formal evaluations of each students development. The current version looks like this: The top half has several items that I can mark with a 'grade' (D for developing as expected and N for needs more development) and below I write a narrative with descriptions of strengths, challenges, quotes from the child, and general information about what the child is like at school.   The tool I use for the assessment feels out of date. (Pearson Ounce scale) I like having a tool such as this, as it helps me evaluate children's development more equitably; I don't compare children to other children in the class but to the scale. 
    Do you have a book, online program or something else that you like using, to help you guide your observations and evaluations of children? 

    The DRDP stuff looks too complicated and too expensive for my situation. 

    many thanks,
    Catherine

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    Catherine Hills
    Head toddler teacher and site director
    Marin Horizon school
    Mill Valley CA
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  • 2.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-25-2019 01:32 AM
    My center uses COR Advantage. It is a lot of anecdotes, but makes for a great assessment and report for the parents.

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    Jessica Howland
    Carriage House Childrens Center
    Pittsburgh PA
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  • 3.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-25-2019 08:46 AM
    I like and use the free assessments available through Handwriting Without Tears.  You can find them on their website.

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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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  • 4.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-26-2019 03:50 PM
    Ages and Stages Questionnaires is very user friendly and relatively affordable.  

    https://agesandstages.com/

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    Becky Dunlap-Morton
    Bellevue NE
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  • 5.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-27-2019 05:28 PM
    Hi Catherine.

    I've worked in numerous preschool/childcare programs and social service agencies that use the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. It starts at​ 1 month and goes all the way to 66 months. There's also a tool for assessing social emotional development. They both have a scoring system and based on the final scores, it gives you an idea of where the child falls compared to the "norm". It's super easy to use and in all my years experience, find it to be fairly accurate.

    https://agesandstages.com/

    I hope you fins something that works for you!

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    Jeri Baker
    Tucson AZ
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  • 6.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 08-27-2019 07:16 PM
    Hi Catherine,

    The ASQ is a developmental screening tool rather than an assessment tool. It is a good place to start and I highly recommend it. TO assess children's development ongoing you need to have a more comprehensive assessment process, these are some of the most popular:
    • HighScope COR (Child Observation Record)
      Educators follow COR's three step process: 1) observe and record, 2) score, using the Online COR, and 3) report findings to share.
      http://www.onlinecor.net

    • Teaching Strategies GOLD
      This strategy bases its assessment around 38 objectives that are important to early childhood education.
      http://www.teachingstrategies.com

    • The Work Sampling System
      The system is structured so that the combination of student portfolios and guidelines and checklists create the assessment for the educator.
      https://www.worksamplingonline.com
    • In CT we use the Early Learning Development Standards to plan our lessons and the Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (DOTS) as part of a cycle of intentional teaching which includes Observing Planning Implementing and Assessing.
    • I hope this is helpful


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    Joan Parris
    Stamford CT
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  • 7.  RE: assessment tools for 2's and 3's- need suggestions

    Posted 09-10-2019 09:30 AM
    Hi Joan,
    Thanks for recommending COR Advantage as a potential comprehensive child assessment. We have made some recent platform changes to COR Advantage and I wanted to provide the updated website for information: https://coradvantage.com/

    Catherine - please reach out to us if you have any questions! 
    Thanks,
    Holly

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    Holly Delgado
    HighScope Educational Research Foundation
    Ypsilanti MI
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