Evaluation and Assessment in EI

Reviewed:

This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources. Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian). Note that some videos may be viewed online, and journal titles will take you to the publisher’s homepage.

wooden puzzle

Books

Assessing and Guiding Young Children’s Development and Learning
Oralie McAfee and Deborah Leong
Pearson, 2016
This book demonstrates how to do authentic classroom-based assessment and then how to interpret and use that information to plan curriculum. Curriculum should be responsive to and supportive of children’s learning and take into consideration the way young children develop and learn, as well as the early childhood teacher’s assessment responsibilities.
Call#: LB 1139.25 .M4 2016  

Assessment in Early Childhood Education
Sue Wortham Clark
Pearson, 2016
This book helps prepare future and current teachers to measure or evaluate children in early childhood, to become fully informed about the range of assessment possibilities available, and to learn how those techniques and instruments can be most beneficial to the children in their classrooms.
Call#: LB 3060.217 .W67 2016

Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs: A Context-Based Approach
Susan Benner (Ed.)
Thomson-Delmar Learning, 2003
Focusing on the assessment of infants, toddlers, and preschool children with or at risk for developmental disabilities, this text provides an overview of multiple assessment techniques and contextual issues involved in assessment, such as environment and culture.
Call#: WS 350.6 .B469a 2003

Authentic Assessment for Early Childhood Intervention: Best Practices
Stephen Bagnato
Guilford Press, 2007
This book discusses and analyzes numerous aspects of assessment in early intervention and early childhood special education, including evaluations of early development, severe disabilities, cognitive functioning, and school readiness.
Call#: WS 105.5 .E8 B147 2007  

Learning Through Child Observation
Mary Fawcett
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016
This book examines the value of observation, its use in assessment and the practical aspects and methods of observational study.
Call#: HV 751 .A6 .F39 2016

LINKing Authentic Assessment and Early Childhood Intervention: Best Measures for Best Practices
Stephen Bagnato, et al.
Brookes Publishing, 2010
This reference book provides reviews of 80 authentic, widely used assessment tools for children 8 and under. It may help early childhood professionals make informed decisions while selecting assessment materials that meet recommended practices.
Call#: WS 150.5 .E8 .L735 2010

Preschool Assessment: Principles and Practices
Marla Brassard and Ann Boehm
Guilford Press, 2007
This book provides a developmentally informed framework for assessing 3- to 6-year-olds in accordance with best practices and IDEA guidelines. It takes the reader step by step through selecting appropriate measures, integrating data from a variety of sources, and using the results to plan and evaluate effective interventions and learning experiences.
Call#: LB 1131 .B823 2007  

The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals: Partnering for Success, 2nd edition
Bonnie Keilty
Teachers College Press, 2016
Keilty explains what early intervention looks like and how families can best partner with professionals so that young children can learn, grow, and thrive. The book includes a chapter on assessment and planning outlining how parents and professionals can work together throughout the process.
Call#: WS 350.6 K27 2016

Videos

Authentic Assessment: Parents: Our Most Important Resource
27 min; DVD
Magna Systems, 2004
This program emphasizes the importance of communicating with and respecting parents throughout the assessment process.
Call#: LB 1731.6 A939d 2004 vol. 4  

Authentic Assessment: Setting the Stage
24 min; DVD
Magna Systems, 2004
This module sets the stage for understanding how children are observed within the context of their play as well as their culture and how these observations are important to understanding their total development.
Call#: LB 1731.6 A939d 2004 vol. 1  

One Child, Two Languages in Action: Educating & Assessing Young Second-Language Learners
120 min; DVD.
Patton Tabors, et al.
Brookes Publishing, 2008
This video discusses techniques for educating young children who are dual-language learners as well as demonstrating recommended methods of assessment. This DVD was created as a companion to the book One Child, Two Languages by Patton O. Tabors. It includes educating and assessing young second-language learners.
Call#: P 118.2 .O54 2008

Early intervention for autism : assessment & treatment strategies for birth to 5
5 hours 43 min; 3 DVDs
PESI, 2016
This lecture discusses assessment tools to identify the early and subtle signs of autism; offers an 8-step framework to effectively treat “coping behaviors” and provides strategies to reduce meltdowns, sensory challenges, repetitive behaviors and more.
Call#: WM 203.5 .Ea761 2015

Articles

Early Childhood Education Journal, 29(4), 251-257
Involving Parents in Early Childhood Assessment: Perspectives from an Early Intervention Instructor
Michael Brink. (2002)
This article discusses the importance of involving parents and families in the assessment of young children. The author offers suggestions and examples to help the early intervention professional.

Journal of Early Intervention, 28(1), 17–22
The Authentic Alternative for Assessment in Early Intervention: An Emerging Evidence-Based Practice.
Stephen Bagnato. (2005)
This article provides an overview, summary of the research, and a history of the shift in early intervention toward authentic assessment, which captures real-life competencies in everyday routines.

Young Children, 68(3) 22-27
Appropriate and Meaningful Assessment in Family-Centered Programs
James Elicker and Mary Benson McMullen. (2013)
Appropriate assessment of infants and toddlers is strengths based, identifying and building on children’s capabilities, not what they cannot do, and is not used to “label” them. This article provides an overview of observation, documentation, screening, assessment, portfolios and goal/outcome setting.

Young Exceptional Children, 7(3), 2–11
Embedding Assessment of Young Children into Routines of Inclusive Settings: A Systematic Planning Approach
Rebecca Cook. (2004)
The author provides a planning guide to support early child care workers in implementing authentic assessment in inclusive settings and natural environments.

Young Exceptional Children, 15(1), 33–45
Evaluating Young Children From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds for Special Education Services
Rashida Banerjee and Mark Guiberson. (2012)
This article describes the issues and challenges that EI/ECSE professionals face when assessing young children and their families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds and provides a brief synthesis of research-based and promising evaluation practices for EI/ECSE professionals when working with these children, families, and other professionals.

Web Resources

Assessing Your Child (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.

Early Identification: Screening, Evaluation and Assessment
This site provides an overview of screening, evaluation and assessment, along with additional resources to assist providers.

Illinois Early Intervention Program: A Guide for Families
This newly revised guide includes information on the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program, why EI services are important, how to find out whether your child is eligible for the EI program, starting and leaving EI services, your legal rights, and questions frequently asked by families.  Also available in Spanish.

Infant and Toddler Development, Screening, and Assessment
This module provides child care consultants with information about screening and assessment of infants and toddlers.

What Is Developmental Screening? (IEL)
This tip sheet provides parents with information on developmental screening and assessment. Also available in Spanish, Polish, and French.