› Embrace an assessment = advocacy mindset. Educators can document at least one strength for each child weekly, then use those insights to guide instruction. They also can honor children’ s home languages and communication styles by allowing different modes of communication and offering multilingual supports.
› Embed assessment into daily routines. By keeping documentation tools( clipboards, tablets, sticky notes) accessible, educators can take quick anecdotal notes or photos to capture learning during playtime, centers, and other activities.
› Keep assessment goals clear, and watch for unintended bias. Educators must make sure that they are assessing a specific skill, not unrelated abilities like following complex instructions. Are teachers’ expectations influencing their interpretations of children’ s responses?
› Reflect and refine assessment tools regularly. Educators can examine one assessment tool each month and identify one modification that could make it more accessible or authentic for all learners.
› Review mandated assessments. Educators can examine district guidelines to identify acceptable ways to modify formal assessments. They can then collaborate with colleagues to implement accommodations that support diverse learners while maintaining assessment integrity.
FURTHER READINGS
About the Authors
Sehyun Yun, PhD, is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at Ball State University. Her research centers on the literacy and language development of children from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds. sehyun. yun @ bsu. edu
Leslie La Croix, PhD, is an assistant professor of inclusive early childhood education in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Dr. La Croix’ s research emphasizes leveraging asset-based pedagogies and assessment practices with diverse young learners. llacroix @ gmu. edu
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