Strategies for Assessing the Competencies of Young Children

Author(s):

Anderson, Scarvia B.; Hardy, Roy.; Rentz, Charlotte C.

Publication Year:

1977

Report Number:

RM-77-04

Source:

ETS Research Memorandum

Document Type:

Report

Page Count:

40

Subject/Key Words:

CIRCUS, Educational Needs, Educationally Disadvantaged, Elementary School Students, Learning Disabilities, Measurement Techniques, Needs Assessment, Preschool Evaluation, Scoring, Spanish Speaking, Test Construction, Young Children

Abstract

The issues involved in assessing the competencies of young children are the issues involved in all measurement: validity, reliability, utility, social consequence, and theoretical relevance. However, current methods of measurement that may be appropriate for older age groups are frequently not applicable to children who are nonreaders, who have not mastered the test taking strategies that are part of the older student's mental repertoire, and for whom the social consequences of mistesting may be grave. This symposium will address both the conceptual issues involved in early childhood assessment and some specific approaches to diagnosing the educational needs of English- and Spanish speaking children of four to six and somewhat older children in EMR or SLD programs.

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