CECE Assessment & Evaluation Methods 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which assessment tool is specifically designed to measure social-emotional development in young children?
- DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
- Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) (Correct answer)
- Brigance Early Childhood Screen
- Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT)
Correct answer: Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)
The DECA is a standardized, strengths-based assessment designed specifically to measure social-emotional development and protective factors in young children.
Question 2: A teacher uses a 'learning story' to document how a child solved a conflict with a peer during recess. This narrative assessment approach is most associated with which framework?
- The Reggio Emilia approach
- The HighScope curriculum model
- The Te Whariki early childhood curriculum (Correct answer)
- The Tools of the Mind program
Correct answer: The Te Whariki early childhood curriculum
Learning stories originated from New Zealand's Te Whariki curriculum framework and are narrative assessments that document meaningful moments of children's learning.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a norm-referenced assessment?
- It compares a child's performance to a specific skill or learning standard
- It measures how a child performs relative to a representative sample of same-age peers (Correct answer)
- It assesses a child's learning across multiple domains using teacher observation
- It evaluates a child's response to targeted instructional interventions
Correct answer: It measures how a child performs relative to a representative sample of same-age peers
Norm-referenced assessments rank a child's performance compared to a standardized sample of children of the same age or grade.
Question 4: What is the primary advantage of using multiple assessment methods rather than a single tool?
- It reduces the time required for assessment
- It increases the likelihood of obtaining a special education referral
- It provides a more complete and accurate picture of the child's abilities (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for family input in the assessment process
Correct answer: It provides a more complete and accurate picture of the child's abilities
Using multiple methods—such as observation, work samples, and family interviews—captures different aspects of development and compensates for the limitations of any single tool.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT consistent with recommended practices for observing and assessing infants and toddlers?
- Observing the child in familiar environments with trusted caregivers present
- Using brief, structured standardized tests as the primary source of data (Correct answer)
- Gathering information from family members about the child's daily routines
- Documenting naturally occurring behaviors across multiple contexts
Correct answer: Using brief, structured standardized tests as the primary source of data
Standardized testing is not developmentally appropriate as the primary assessment approach for infants and toddlers, who are best assessed through naturalistic observation and family input.
Question 6: A kindergarten teacher wants to determine whether her math instruction is working for the whole class before moving to the next unit. Which assessment approach is most appropriate?
- Administering a norm-referenced intelligence test
- Using a formative exit ticket or quick check at the end of the lesson (Correct answer)
- Waiting for the end-of-year report card to review math scores
- Referring struggling students for a multidisciplinary evaluation
Correct answer: Using a formative exit ticket or quick check at the end of the lesson
A formative assessment such as an exit ticket provides immediate feedback on student understanding, allowing the teacher to adjust instruction before moving forward.
Question 7: According to NAEYC guidelines, assessment information should be treated as confidential. Which action would be a violation of this principle?
- Sharing a child's portfolio with the family at a parent-teacher conference
- Discussing a child's developmental delays in the hallway where others can hear (Correct answer)
- Including assessment findings in a referral sent to a specialist with parental consent
- Storing assessment files in a locked cabinet accessible only to authorized staff
Correct answer: Discussing a child's developmental delays in the hallway where others can hear
Discussing confidential assessment information in a public or semi-public space violates a child's right to privacy and professional confidentiality standards.
CECE Assessment & Evaluation Methods 5
Which assessment tool is specifically designed to measure social-emotional development in young children?