Kindergarten entry assessments, which some states call “kindergarten readiness assessments” or “kindergarten entry inventories,” are intended to guide a teacher’s instructional practice. They may include direct assessment of children’s skills, teacher observations, or both. They’re intended to give teachers a well-rounded picture of the whole child, including his or her academic, social, and physical development.
While these assessments are becoming more widespread—boosted by federal support during the Obama administration—they’re offering mixed results for teachers and for school districts.
Supporters say they’re useful in supporting all elements of a child’s development during their important early school days.
Others have criticized the assessments as an additional burden that doesn’t let teachers know what they should do with all the data they’re expected to collect. And the assessments also raise concerns for some that they’ll be used for high-stakes purposes, like evaluating teachers or sorting children into educational tracks.
In Virginia, about half of the state’s school divisions are piloting a program called the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program. The state already requires incoming kindergartners to be measured on preliteracy skills. The kindergarten-readiness program adds evaluations of children’s math, social, and self-regulation skills.
It also provides tools for teachers if children show that they are lagging in those areas, said Amanda Williford, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, who developed the measure and is working with districts in implementing it.
“Self-regulation and social skills are just as important, and it’s the same kind of skill as reading and math,” Williford said. “It’s learned in school, just like reading and math are. If a kid was struggling to read, we would never say they don’t belong in our classroom.”
Melita Ring, a kindergarten teacher at Amelon Elementary in Madison Heights, Va., said she likes having the one-on-one time with her students, and having resources to help students right at her fingertips.
“They’re giving you that opportunity to not only teach the children who are struggling, but to learn other ways of doing so,” Ring said.
Read more of the article from Education Week here.