Testing in the Early Childhood Classroom

When a student enters the early childhood classroom for the first time, there is usually a sense of urgency to evaluate the student to determine their readiness level. Throughout the school year, students are challenged with taking several other assessments to determine if they are progressing.  This practice usually leads to the students being placed in special programs based on the data from the results.  Although I think assessing students is a good idea, how much assessing is too much?

“Assessment is a great way to chart a child’s progress over time, provide feedback to a child’s parent(s), or help with classroom management and discipline.”  (Salvia & Ysseldyke, 1995, p. 207).  This practice does provide valuable information but at times it seems to be too much.  Since the students I work with fall under the early childhood umbrella, I believe there should be a balance between learning, assessing and allowing the students to be children. 

One method of assessment that I like to use in my classroom is portfolios.  I am able to see the growth of students over time and the results are more reliable. An assessment method which has been gaining favor in the early childhood community is the portfolio (Gronlund, 1998; Honig, 1996; Kankaanranta, 1996). My students also like to work on their portfolios because they are kid friendly and the students are free to be expressive.  I am able to catch items my students need help with by looking at their portfolios.  I check them several times throughout the school year for growth and re-teaching opportunities.

 

Gronlund, G. (1998). Portfolios as an assessment tool: Is collection of work enough? Young Children, 53(3), 4-10.

Honig, A.S. (1996). Evaluation of early childhood enrichment programs. Early Childhood Development and Care, 120, 29-37.

Kankaanranta, M. (1996). Self-portrait of a child: Portfolios as a means of self-assessment in preschool and primary school. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 403 058

Salvia, J. & Ysseldyke, J. (1995). Assessment (6th Ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.