This comprehensive guide to assessment in early childhood continues to provide the most current research, best thinking, and practical guidance to integrate assessment with effective teaching.   Assessing and Guiding Young Children’s Development and Learning is the only book that shows assessment as a process teachers can use to improve teaching and ensure student learning.  It incorporates current trends in assessment with examples and approaches being used in early childhood classrooms.   The book includes guides for interpreting and using assessment information once it has been collected.  The assessment strategies presented are compatible with all approaches to educating young children.  The social, cultural, legal, and ethical context of assessment and its implications for teachers and teaching are realistically presented.

Table of Contents:
Preface PartI.Professionalism In Assessment. 1. Assessment In Early Childhood: A Work In Progress.             Assessment Vocabulary             Expectations of Teachers             Factors Contributing to Current Practices in Assessment             Professional Responsibility                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   2. Legal, Ethical, And Professional Responsibilities In Assessment.             Know Federal and State Laws that Mandate Assessment             Protect Child and Family Rights                         The Right to Equal Protection under the Law                         The Right to Due Process                         The Right to Privacy                         Major Legislation Be Sensitive to Individual Differences             Be Sensitive to Social and Cultural Differences             Be Fair and Impartial             Use Assessment Results in Appropriate Ways             Know and Abide by State, School District, and Center Policies                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading II. Assessing and Teaching. 3. Why, What, And When to Assess.             Assessment Decisions             Why Assess?                         To Monitor Children’s Development and Learning                         To Guide Classroom Planning and Decision-making                         To Identify Children Who Might Benefit from Special Help                         To Report to and Communicate With Others             What to Assess             When to Assess                        Some Final Thoughts                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   4. Documenting: Collecting Information.             Multiple Windows             Sources of Information             Methods of Collecting Information             Contexts for Assessment             Choosing the Appropriate Assessment Window                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   5. Documenting: Recording Information.             Description and Examps of Recording Procedues             Selecting a Recording Procedure                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   6. Compiling And Summarizing Information.             Portfolios             Group and Individual Profiles                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   7. Interpreting Assessment Information.             Ensure the Authenticity and Trustworthiness of the Data             Interpret and Understand the Meaning of Assessment Findings                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   8. Using Assessment Information.             Planning Strategies             Individual and Group Strategies             Curriculum and Classroom Modification Strategies             Examples of using Assessment and Information to Guide Instruction                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading 9. Organizing for Assessment.             Integrating Assessment and Teaching             Developing a Plan             Organizing Files and Forms                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading III. The Classroom and Beyond. 10. Standardized Testing: What Early Childhood Teachers Should Know. The Difference Between an Assessment That Has Standardized Procedures and a Standardized Test Definition of a Standardized Test Limitations and Inadequacies of Standardized Testing Types of Standardized Tests The Early Childhood Teacher’s Role in Standardized Testing Instruments Measuring Opportunities to Learn                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   11. Communicating And Collaborating Using Assessment.             Communicating with Children             Communicating with Parents             Communicating and Collaborating with Other Professionals Professional and Personal Development and Learning                         Summary                         For Personal Reflection                         For Further Study and Discussion                         Suggested Reading   Appendix A: Assessment And Analysis Guides.   Appendix B: Developmental Red Flags for Children Ages 3 to 5.   Glossary   References   Author Index   Subject Index