Spotlight on Young Children: Observation and Assessment, Volume 2

Teacher photographing a child as they build with blocks

Hilary Seitz

About the Book

Meaningful, developmentally appropriate observation and assessment are core components of every early learning setting. In today鈥檚 world of data collection, high-stakes testing, and accountability, it is vitally important to understand how to effectively assess young children in familiar settings; use this data to inform the curriculum; and communicate this information with staff, families, and communities.听听

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Carrying on the work of the first volume of Spotlight on Young Children: Observation and Assessment, this book brings together all-new articles curated by Hilary Seitz, director for educator and leadership programs in the California State University system. Organized into three distinct parts, the contributions 听

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Discuss changing the landscape of observation and assessment 听
Emphasize the need for assessment to be culturally and linguistically responsive 听
Showcase a variety of reasons why educators use observation and assessment, exploring information about the foundations and meanings behind them 听
Highlight different facets of the authentic assessment process and how to capture thinking and learning moments听
Address reflecting on, celebrating, and including all children by identifying their unique听strengths and needs and using a variety of supporting strategies听听

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Each article in this collection is accompanied by questions to prompt deeper thinking on the content. With this resource, continue to grow听your understanding of how observation and assessment can guide your instruction and promote children鈥檚 learning.听听

Introduction鈥�
Hilary Seitz听
Part One: Purposes of Observation and Assessment听
- Foundations of Assessment for Preschool Settings听
  Catherine Scott-Little, with Kathy L. Reschke听
- Meaningful Assessment and Documentation: How Directors Can Support Teaching and Learning听
  Debbie LeeKeenan and Iris Chin Ponte听
- Assessing Agency in Learning Contexts: A First, Critical Step to Assessing Children听
  Natacha Ndabahagamye Jones, Amber T. Fowler, and Jennifer Keys Adair听
Part Two: Strategies for Observing and Assessing听
- Authentic Assessment: A Strengths-Based Approach to Making Thinking, Learning, and Development Visible听
  Hilary Seitz听
- Anecdotal Records: Practical Strategies for Taking Meaningful Notes听
  Celeste C. Bates, Stephanie M. Madison, and Hayley J. Hoover听听
- Bringing Observation and Documentation to Life in Infant and Toddler Settings听
  Rebecca Parlakian听
- Unlocking the Potential of Data-Driven Coaching: Child Assessment Evidence as a Guide for Informing Instructional Practices听
  Christine M. Snyder and Holly P. Delgado听
- Effective Kindergarten Readiness Assessments: Influencing Policy, Informing Instruction, and Creating Joyful Classrooms听
  Elliot Regenstein, Maia C. Connors, Rio Romero-Jurado, and Joyce Weiner听
- Photographs and Learning Progressions: Supports for Intentional Assessment鈥痑nd Instruction in Mathematics听
  Sarah Roller Dyess, Elizabeth Petit Cunningham, and Katherine Ariemma Marin听
Part Three: Assessment Practices to Support Inclusion听
- Assessing Opportunities to Support Each Child: 12 Practices for Quality Inclusion听
  Camille Catlett and Elena P. Soukakou听
- Embedded Learning Opportunities for Children with and Without Disabilities听
  Christan G. Coogle, Emily M. Rose, Jennifer R. Ottley, Jennifer A. Brown, and Mollie K. Romano听
- Authentic and Meaningful Developmental Screening in Early Childhood听
  Marisa Macy and Stefano J. Bagnato听听
- Enhancing Toddlers鈥� Communication Skills: Partnerships with Speech-Language Pathologists听
  Janet L. Gooch鈥�
Index

Book Details

Product Code: 1168

ISBN:听978-1-952331-25-1

Publish Date: 2024

Citation (in Chicago 17th ed. style):听Seitz, H., ed. 2024. Spotlight on Young Children: Observation and Assessment. Vol. 2. Washington, DC: 51吃瓜网.听

Related Resources

Articles听

鈥淏reaking Down STEAM for Young Children. Part 4: Practical Approaches to Informal Assessment鈥� - Authors Angela Eckhoff and听Sandra M. Linder take a deeper look at developing informal assessment strategies during STEAM experiences in this final article听of their four-part series exploring听STEAM听activities in early childhood settings. (Teaching Young Children, October/November 2020)听

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鈥淣ot Just Handwriting and Spelling: Assessing Early Composing Skills鈥� - In this article, Margaret F. Quinn and Rebecca Rohloff explore all three components of composition鈥攖ranscription, connection, and discourse鈥攊n action and how educators can assess and support children鈥檚 early composition, especially during the听preschool years. (Young Children, Spring 2023)听

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Audience: Student (higher education), Teacher, Trainer

Age: Early Primary, Infant/Toddler, Kindergarten, Preschool

Topics: Curriculum, Assessment, Classroom Management, Assessment, Observation, Portfolios and Documentation, Other Topics, Special Education, Early Intervention

Hilary Seitz

Hilary Seitz, PhD, is director for educator and leadership programs in the California State University system. She advocates and supports statewide efforts to support early childhood education and the new California PK鈥�3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential. Dr. Seitz is professor emerita in early childhood education at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her research areas have been in early literacy development, collaborative practices between families and schools including culturally responsive pedagogies, emergent curriculum development, documentation, authentic assessment, and social constructivist learning theories inspired by Reggio Emilia practices.

Reviews

In a time when assessment is frequently associated with formal testing that takes precious time away from instruction, the authors demonstrate how authentic assessment can shape teachers鈥� decisions about creating optimal learning environments for young learners. Aligned with the principles and guidelines of the fourth edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, this book is a valuable resource in the toolbox of novice and experienced early childhood educators.听

鈥�Elena Bodrova, Cofounder and Knowledge Advisor, Tools of the Mind听

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Navigating the challenges of assessment in education is no easy task. This new volume manages to address the anxiety around the topic by offering actionable insights that educators across the early childhood continuum can utilize to benefit children.听

鈥�Vincent J. Costanza, Principal, Campbell Elementary School听

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Full of research-based information, strategies, and examples, this highly readable book is a must for students, teachers, and directors seeking to better understand the whats, whys, and hows of authentic, data-driven, individualized, and equitable assessment for all children.听

鈥�Mary Benson McMullen, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Indiana University Bloomington听