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Framework for Effective Practice:
Ongoing Child Assessment

Ongoing assessment is integral to curriculum and instruction. Assessment information helps us monitor progress, both for individual children and for the program as a whole.

Systematic, ongoing assessment provides valuable information on children's development and learning and helps inform curriculum planning, teaching, and individualizing for each child across all Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework domains.

Use the table below to explore key aspects of ongoing assessment. Before you begin, learn more by viewing the Ongoing Child Assessment: Overview 15-minute in-service Suite.

Preparing for Assessment

Having a plan for assessing children's progress ensures that staff are prepared to conduct assessment activities on an ongoing basis. They also are able to use assessment information to inform instruction.

15-minute In-service Suites

The in-service suites are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective ongoing child assessment practices. For more information on how to use them, read the Guide to the 15-minute In-service Suites [PDF, 1.3MB].

Preparing for Assessment

Resources

Collecting and Using Information

Staff can use multiple methods to document and summarize children's performance, including anecdotal notes, work samples and video.

15-minute In-service Suites

The in-service suites are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective ongoing child assessment practices. For more information on how to use them, read the Guide to the 15-minute In-service Suites [PDF, 1.3MB].

Collecting and Using Information

Resources

Interpreting Information

The main goal of ongoing child assessment is to inform instruction. Staff further analyze assessment information to determine whether children are progressing and to make decisions about curriculum and instruction.

15-minute In-service Suites

The in-service suites are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective ongoing child assessment practices. For more information on how to use them, read the Guide to the 15-minute In-service Suites [PDF, 1.3MB].

Interpreting Information

Resources

  • Using What You Learn from Observation: A Form of Assessment

Strengthening Your Program

A comprehensive assessment system provides useful information on individual children's learning and overall program improvement. It includes family input and is supported by program administrators.

15-minute In-service Suites

The in-service suites are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective ongoing child assessment practices. For more information on how to use them, read the Guide to the 15-minute In-service Suites [PDF, 1.3MB].

Strengthening Your Program

Resources

Related Materials

These resources can help to identify best practices in ongoing child assessment to support child outcomes and school readiness goals.

For more information, please contact us at ecdtl at ecetta dot info or call (toll-free) 1-844-261-3752.

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Last Reviewed: October 2016

Last Updated: October 12, 2016