Kaplan University

Psychology / Applied Behavior Analysis / Early Childhood Development

CE300: Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood

One original discussion post and two replies.

Topic: Sharing Assessment Results with Parents

TUTOR INSTRUCTIONS:

Suggested references to use for this assignment

Read Chapter 11 “Communicating with Families” in your text, Assessment in Early Childhood Education. (Attached document: Chapter_11.docx)

You will also explore the website “Family Centered Assessment” and watch the videos “Finley’s Parent Teacher Conference” and “Sharing Documentation with Families.” :

·         Child Welfare Information Gateway. Family centered assessment. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/famcentered/caseworkpractice/assessment/

·         Colorado Department of Education. (n.d.) Finley’s Parent Teacher Conference. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.cde.state.co.us/resultsmatter/RMVideoSeries.htm

·         Colorado Department of Education. (n.d.) Sharing Documentation with Families. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.cde.state.co.us/resultsmatter/RMVideoSeries.htm

In addition, you may explore the website on the DIAL-4 screening assessment http://www.pearsonclinical.com/childhood/products/100000304/dial-4-developmental-indicators-for-the-assessment-of-learning-fourth-edition-dial-4.html

Read the Toolkit of Recommended Curricula and Assessments for Early Childhood Home Visiting. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/Toolkit_of_Recommended_Curricula_and_Assessments_for_Home_Visiting.pdf

CASE STUDY AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Please use this case study to address the Discussion topic.

Koi is a 5-year-old boy in the childcare center where you work. You are preparing for the annual family conferences in your school. You have compiled a portfolio of Koi’s progress throughout the year and also have standardized test results from a screening done on all children in your center. Koi is developing typically, and has met all of the developmental milestones as indicated by the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL-4), the standardized screening assessment given at your school. You have prepared a portfolio complete with many work sample artifacts demonstrating his progress throughout the year.

The only area of concern noted by the early childhood professionals in Koi’s classroom is off-task behavior during circle time. It takes three or four requests to get Koi to join circle time each day. He will only sit for approximately 10 minutes and then he attempts to leave the circle. After studying this behavior, the early childhood professionals were able to determine that by adding additional visuals and opportunities for movement, Koi would attend and participate in circle time for the entire lesson.

Koi has been staying and participating in circle time consistently for the past two weeks since this implemented change. You want to share all of this assessment information with Koi’s parents, and the following questions are good ways to start thinking about how to best communicate with families.

Please describe how you would share these assessment results with Koi’s family by answering the following questions:

1.          What strategies can you use to ensure that parents/caregivers feel welcome and comfortable at the beginning of the conference?

2.          What strategies can you use when sharing assessment information with the parents/caregivers? Why did you choose these strategies?

3.          What method can you use to summarize the student’s progress?

4.          What role do the parents/caregivers have in the conference?

5.          How could you share results that may be perceived by the parents/caregivers as negative?

Student 1’s post:

1.          What strategies can you use to ensure that parents/caregivers feel welcome and comfortable at the beginning of the conference? I would start by setting up the meeting and reassuring the parents that this is just a meeting to discuss the assessment and to get their ideas on certain strategies that you are going to suggest them. Let them know that in no way is their child going to be labeled or is this information going to be shared with anyone other than them or yourself. That you have found some issues that need to be addressed and that you are there to support them in any decision that is made.

2.          What strategies can you use when sharing assessment information with the parents/caregivers? The first thing that I am going to do is get copies of everything and have them ready to give to the parents so that they know exactly where he was at the beginning of the school year and where he is now. Then I would provide them with any resources information that would be of help. I would keep everything as positive as possible because then the parents would be comfortable and open with the information that we are sharing together. Why did you choose these strategies? The reason I chose this strategy is because parents are sometimes in denial and feel like they are being judged and that is the last thing that I would want them to feel. I want them comfortable enough to where they open on their concerns and that they could understand the information that I am providing. I would explain that with Koi, we try and refocus the child’s attention on the task at hand and that eventually the refocus will not be needed because it will be second nature.

3.          What method can you use to summarize the student’s progress? Basically, I would have all the scores and graphs that show where he was compared to other children in his class at the beginning of the year and where he is now. This would allow me to show them that they are not the only parents with a child that needs additional services or help in school. I would then have a game plan of where we need to provide additional assistance with Koi and how we can help the parents with open communication and specific strategies at home that would be the same as if the child was in the classroom. I would offer parent training that would help them adjust at home that would benefit the child both at school and home. I would allow them to take the copy of the portfolio and notes with them so that later they can review them. I would also give them my email address so that if they have any concerns after the meeting that they can reach me immediately because my email is available through my phone.

4.          What role do the parents/caregivers have in the conference? Parents and caregivers are the advocates for the child because they spend more time with the child everyday then I would. The parents and caregivers are the child’s voice because they clearly know the child better than anyone.

Student 2’s post:

1. What strategies can you use to ensure that parents/caregivers feel welcome and comfortable at the beginning of the conference?

Parent-teacher conferences are mostly done face-to-face. Before the conference with Koi parents, I may set out some refreshment. I would place Koi’s work in a folder on the table where the conference will take place. I may decide to have ready a slide-show of what

Koi does at school.  If necessary, I may have an interpreter available. I would greet the parent and allow them to talk first. Koi’s parents

will be given an opportunity to share information about their family. I would answer any concern Koi’s parents may have about Koi’s progress. I would be tactful and honest (p. 276-278).

2. What strategies can you use when sharing assessment information with the parents/caregivers? Why did you choose these strategies?

 I would be sure to cover each part of the assessment with the parents. I would be careful with the way I communicate the information

 to the parents. I would think about what I am going to say before I say it. I would highlight all of the strength of the child before presenting his weaknesses. I would explain what Koi test scores mean. I would make sure the information from the assessment is accurate. 

3. What method can you use to summarize the student’s progress?

I would use Koi’s portfolio during the conference. I would show the work samples I had collected to show beginning to the presence

date.

4. What role do the parents/caregivers have in the conference?

It is the role of parents/caregivers to share information about their child. For example, they could share the child’s personality traits, challenges, habits, friends, hobbies, and talents. Parents should try to stay focused on their child and his or her unique temperament, individual needs, and special interests. It is their role to listen with an open-mind to what the teacher has to say about their child. Be considerate to the teacher and the other parents who has schedule conference that day. Arrive on time for the conference.

5. How could you share results that may be perceived by the parents/caregivers as negative?

I would have to make sure the results are accurate. I would talk to my supervisor before during a conference with this particular parents.

 I would relate the information professionally and honest.

Reference

Parent Teacher Conference. Retrieved from https://families.naeyc.org/

Wortham, S. C., Hardin, B. J. (02/2015). Assessment in Early Childhood Education, 7th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323290804/