465-402 CDS 42: Assessment & Evaluation

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

465-301 CDS31 and 465-302 CDS32, or equivalent.

Contact

Subject Description

A study of the role of assessment and evaluation for young children through examination of the processes available to the Early Childhood Professional and those used by other professionals. Topics will include: a critical examination of the informal and formal gathering of data through a range of observation techniques, interview, checklists, screening, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing and dynamic assessment; critical examination of various commercially produced assessment and evaluation instruments compared to those produced by teachers; consideration of the purpose of assessment and interpretation and use of the data obtained, including assessment for programming for the group and the individual, assessment for consideration for special intervention, assessment of general intellectual ability and creativity, and assessment for pre-academic skills, school readiness and educational progress; the preparation of reports for referral and the implementation of recommendations in reports from external agencies; issues in assessment including the effects of diverse cultural contexts, the maintenance of confidentiality of restricted information and obtaining consent from and informing parents throughout the assessment process.

Assessment

Assignments totalling 2000 words, and a 2-hour written examination.