Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide to assessment in early childhood special education offers a macro- and micro-level understanding of the essential processes and activities relevant to the assessment of young children at risk of, or having, developmental delays or disabilities.

The book provides insights into the laws, regulations, processes, culturally and contextually relevant practices, and requirements that practitioners need to follow when engaged in assessment, in addition to an extensive overview of current and time-tested assessment tools designed for use by early childhood educators when evaluating young children with developmental challenges. It provides immediate guidance and support to a wide range of individuals engaged in service to young children who may have, or are already identified as having, a disability.

Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education is an essential text for pre-service early childhood special educators as well as current practitioners, including day care teachers (home-based and centre-based), certified early childhood special educators, and general education kindergarten through second grade teachers. It should be on the desk of every early childhood educator who works with children who may or have been identified as being at risk, developmentally delayed, or disabled.

Table of Contents

Part One: The What, Why, and How of Assessment

1. Assessment – What It Is, the Purpose, or Why Do We Do It, the Requirements, and How It Is Done
2. Legal, Regulatory, and Recommended Aspects of Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
3. How Should Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Developmental Issues Be Assessed?
4. Test Measurement and Data Literacy Part Two: Serving through Assessment – How We Can Best Serve Children and Families When Going Through the Assessment Process?
5. Assessment, Program Planning, and Managing Change
6. Collaborative Partnerships in Assessment
7. Culturally Responsive Assessment

Part Three: Assessment Tools and Approaches

8. Types of Assessment Approaches in Early Childhood Special Education

9. Types of Assessment Tools in Early Childhood Special Education

10. Checklists, Rating Scales, and Rubrics for Formative and Summative Assessment

11. Performance-Based Assessment Strategies (Authentic Assessment)

Part Four: Assessment Tool Profiles and Reviews

12. Screening Tools

13. Standardized/Normed Referenced Tools

14. Criterion-Referenced Tools

15. Curriculum Based Assessment Tools