Description
In today's climate of increased accountability and diversity, alternative assessments for young children are more important than ever. That's why the timely NEW edition of this bestselling textbook is a must for all educators as they prepare to work with children who are culturally, linguistically, or developmentally diverse.
Developed by top authorities in early childhood special education and widely adopted since its first edition was published in 2001, this introductory text has been carefully updated to reflect 10 years of evolution in demographics, research, technology, and legislation. Pre- and in-service educators of children birth–8 years will
- learn about six popular alternative assessment methods: naturalistic, focused, performance, portfolio, dynamic, and curriculum-based language
- explore the advantages and limitations of each approach
- effectively link assessment with intervention [NEW CHAPTER!]
- get clear and specific guidelines for before, during, and after assessment
- collaborate and reach consensus with families
- see assessment methods in action with vivid vignettes of children with diverse needs
- discover successful strategies for teaching in inclusive environments
- implement a transdisciplinary framework to ensure comprehensive, multidimensional assessment approaches
With the improved student-friendly features—such as chapter review questions, in-depth case studies, a glossary, and a new sample syllabus—college and university instructors will find this text ideal for introducing preservice educators to the fundamentals of alternative assessments. And the NEW CD-ROM makes this book an invaluable resource beyond the classroom, with more than 2 dozen printable forms for data collection, observation, progress monitoring, IEP/IFSP development, and more.
Grounded in the most current research and best practices, this essential new edition will help pre- and in-service educators capture the full picture of all young children's strengths and needs and provide them with appropriate, individualized instruction.
Reviews
Review: Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities
"Summarizes the best assessment approaches in early childhood special education and provides a practical framework for examining alternative assessment for preservice teachers in training. It offers excellent alternatives to traditional assessment and accompanies these with a clearly articulated rationale for change."
Review by: Toni Linder, Professor, Child, Family, and School Psychology Program, University of Denver
"Provides a comprehensive overview of different assessment approaches . . . The examples provided as well as the limitations discussed for each are helpful."
Review by: Jennifer Grisham-Brown, Professor, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Kentucky, Lexington
"A wealth of information on how to assess young children in a manner that is based on child development theory and recommended practices . . . an extremely useful resource in planning, implementing, and using assessment information."
Review by: Stephen Bagnato, University of Pittsburgh; author of LINKing Authentic Assessment and Early Childhood Intervention: Best Measures for Best Practices, Second Edition (2010)
"Adds immeasurably to the expanding practice-based evidence for assessments of young children which link to intervention through the essential best practice standards of authenticity, functionality, and universality."
Table of Contents
CD-ROM Contents
About the Authors
Foreword: Diane Bricker
Preface
Acknowledgments
- Historical Perspectives on Alternative Assessment
- Traditional and Contemporary Assessment Models
- Linking Assessment and Intervention
- Naturalistic Assessment
- Focused Assessment
- Performance Assessment
- Portfolio Assessment
- Dynamic Assessment
- Curriculum-Based Language Assessment
- Transdisciplinary Framework
References
Glossary
Index