Appropriate Assessment of Young Children.

Focusing on the development of systematic observation procedures, this document provides guidance in choosing methods to assess the development of children within an early childhood program. The document discusses how to use observation data to guide decisions about curriculum and teaching, provide feedback on educational and developmental progress, and indicate whether program goals are being met for individual children and groups of children. It also provides general guidelines for making and using observations and suggestions for developing an observation system. Lists of observable behaviors are presented, including behaviors that demonstrate cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development. Guidelines for using these lists are provided, along with samples of observation records. The document concludes with a discussion of standardized tests and a presentation of a detailed list of the possible negative effects of mass standardized testing. It is suggested that there are times when standardized testing can be used appropriately as one component of the assessment process. A list of criteria that standardized tests should meet for use in such situations is included. (MM)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.