CPT Observation and Assessment Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher notices a child repeatedly building the same block tower and knocking it down. What type of observation method best captures this repeated behavior pattern over time?
- Running record
- Anecdotal note
- Time sampling
- Event sampling (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Event sampling
Event sampling records each occurrence of a specific behavior, making it ideal for tracking repeated patterns like knocking down towers.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a developmental checklist in a preschool classroom?
- To rank children against each other academically
- To document whether children have demonstrated specific skills (Correct answer)
- To assign letter grades to children's progress
- To identify children who need to repeat preschool
Correct answer: To document whether children have demonstrated specific skills
Developmental checklists document the presence or absence of specific skills, providing a systematic record of individual progress.
Question 3: When conducting an anecdotal observation, a teacher writes: 'Maya grabbed the crayon from Jace because she wanted it.' What is wrong with this observation?
- It is too short to be useful
- It includes an interpretation rather than objective description (Correct answer)
- It names both children, which violates confidentiality
- It does not include the time of day
Correct answer: It includes an interpretation rather than objective description
The phrase 'because she wanted it' is an interpretation of motivation, not an objective description of what was observed.
Question 4: A portfolio assessment approach to documenting preschool learning is most valuable because it:
- Provides a single score that summarizes child development
- Shows growth over time through collected work samples and observations (Correct answer)
- Compares a child's skills to national norms
- Reduces the amount of teacher documentation required
Correct answer: Shows growth over time through collected work samples and observations
Portfolios compile multiple artifacts over time, allowing teachers and families to see a child's developmental trajectory.
Question 5: During a parent-teacher conference, a teacher shares observation notes about a child's social development. What is the primary ethical consideration?
- Sharing observations only when parents specifically request them
- Keeping observation records confidential and sharing only with authorized individuals (Correct answer)
- Avoiding discussion of any concerns to prevent parental worry
- Comparing the child's development to siblings in the family
Correct answer: Keeping observation records confidential and sharing only with authorized individuals
Confidentiality requires that observation and assessment data be shared only with those who have a legitimate, authorized need to know.
Question 6: Which assessment tool would be MOST appropriate for evaluating a preschooler's fine motor development?
- A standardized reading readiness test
- Observation of scissor use, drawing, and manipulative play (Correct answer)
- A written test with picture-matching questions
- Parent survey about homework completion
Correct answer: Observation of scissor use, drawing, and manipulative play
Fine motor skills are best assessed through direct observation of tasks that require small muscle control, such as cutting and drawing.
Question 7: A teacher uses time sampling to observe a child's engagement. She records the child's activity every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. What is a key limitation of this method?
- It requires too many observers to be practical
- It may miss behaviors that occur between observation intervals (Correct answer)
- It cannot be used with more than one child at a time
- It only works for outdoor observations
Correct answer: It may miss behaviors that occur between observation intervals
Time sampling captures behavior only at set intervals, so significant behaviors occurring between check-ins are not recorded.
CPT Observation and Assessment Practices 2
A teacher notices a child repeatedly building the same block tower and knocking it down.
What type of observation method best captures this repeated behavior pattern over time?