I believe assessment should measure development and milestones verses growth. Developmental assessments screen progress towards the stage of development. In addition, developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis, for potential developmental delays. I think developmental screening are important because many children with developmental delays are not being identified early. Statistics suggested that in the United States, 17% of children have a developmental or behavioral disability (www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/child/devtool.htm 2011).
Education in the Netherlands go-between the ages of four to twelve, children attend elementary school (basisschool; literally, "basic school"). This school has eight grades, called groep 1 (group 1) through groep 8. School attendance is compulsory from group 2 (at age five), but almost all children commence school at age four (in group 1). Groups 1 and 2 used to a separate institution akin to kindergarten (kleuterschool; literally, "toddler's school"), until it was merged with elementary schools in 1989. From group 3 on, children will learn how to read, write, and do math. In group 8 the vast majority of schools administer an aptitude test called the Cito Eindtoets Basisonderwijs (literally, "Cito final test primary education").
I think assessments need to stay just that "an assessments" not a test. I understand schools need to know how much a child has learned. However, the education system has a hard balancing between "testing" and "assessments" and which is the best for our students. They need to have a purpose and plan for the children who receive them.
Information retrieved from:
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/child/devtool.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org
Enjoyed your blog keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteThe link you posted for CDC had some interesting information. It's shocking to read that "less than 50% of these children are identified as having a problem before starting school, by which time significant delays may have already occurred and opportunities for treatment have been missed." It's great when teachers and parents can work more closely together to ensure each child receives the support they need to thrive in and out of school.
ReplyDeleteDid you have a link to the information on the education system in Netherlands? I would be interested in learning more.
Elizabeth-
ReplyDeleteI think you make a good point about the difference between testing and assessing. I think that there is room for interpretation in an assessment, whereas a test seems more of a final result.
Thank you for the information on the Netherlands. I enjoy learning about new countries!
I have enjoyed reading your blog during this course. You have posted some very thought provoking ideas. Thank you.
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