Observation & Assessment

Monique offers Oregon Registry Training for Set I Standards, as listed below.  Please contact Monique to schedule an inservice training at your school or at Creative Roots.

Knowledge of observation techniques, assessment tools, and documentation procedures for children and youth. Using observation and assessment to individualize learning experiences, improve the effectiveness of the learning environment, and support referrals for specialized services.

Key Concepts: Observations and assessments can be used to learn to know each person as an individual. There are many observation, record-keeping and assessment tools and procedures available. Which tool is selected and used depends on who is being assessed and why the assessment is being conducted. It also depends on the compliance of the tool with established criteria and standards. Observation and assessment procedures are used in a manner that promotes and demonstrates communication between colleagues, families, and specialists in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating program support for children, youth and staff.

Supporting Explanations:Observation and assessment aid in understanding and responding to children’s and youth’s personal, cultural and developmental needs. Observation and assessment also help to improve the effectiveness of environments and programs.The right assessment methods, whether formal or informal, written or verbal, provide valid, reliable, accurate and helpful information regarding programs, curricula, environment, children, youth, and staff.A collaborative approach in observation and assessment improves communication with stakeholders (parents, specialists, staff, etc.). Collaboration makes the assessment more effective and decisions regarding further referrals to specialists more responsive to everyone involved.

Observation & Assessment Standards

SET ONE STANDARDS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 1-7	SET TWO STANDARDS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 7.5-9	SET THREE STANDARDS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 9.5-10
Overview of basic techniques and methods for useful observation, assessment, and record keeping	Exploration or application of techniques and methods of observation, assessment, and recordkeeping to the care and education setting	Comparison and critique of various instruments and procedures used for observation, assessment, and record keeping
Overview of tools used for observation, assessment, and record-keeping	Selection of instruments and tools that promote authentic, developmentally appropriate and culturally appropriate assessment	Selection of instruments and tools that promote and demonstrate communication and collaboration among staff, families, and referral specialists
Techniques for sharing observations with families and specialists	Development of communication systems for sharing observations and assessments with families, specialists, and community	Development of systems for program accountability through authentic assessment and evaluation
Protection of confidentiality in the context of ethical conduct	Responsible use of observation and assessment.	Critique of national models of program evaluation and effectiveness research.
Discussion of use of observation and assessment for program planning	Links between authentic observation and assessment, individualizing curriculum and developing programs	Analysis of models for connecting observation and assessment to program outcomes

Observation & Assessment Sample Topics

SET ONE SAMPLE TOPICS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 1-7	SET TWO SAMPLE TOPICS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 7.5-9	SET THREE SAMPLE TOPICS FOR OREGON REGISTRY STEPS 9.5-10
Principles of observation and assessmentRecording factual and descriptive observationsObservation proceduresInterpreting observationsTools for observing, recording, and record-keeping Sharing observations and records with professionals, families, and/or specialists Protecting privacy in the observation and record-keeping process Procedures and purposes of child assessment Early Childhood Foundations Assessment Ethical responsibilities for communicating and supporting families with assessment results	Strategies for observation and assessmentAppropriate and inappropriate use of assessment methodsAssessing programs, environment, curriculum, children, youth, and/or staffApplying human development theory to observationProgram planning and curriculum implementation based on observations and assessments Involving families in assessment and planning Communicating and documenting assessment information Selecting observation and assessment tools Authentic assessment methods Pairing authentic assessment and formal assessment Culturally appropriate assessment tools and strategies	Research in observation and assessmentAssessment tools that respect diversity and abilityEvaluation of observation and assessment tools and techniquesChoosing and improving observation and assessment toolsIn-depth interpretation of assessment information Establishing documentation methods for assessment Integrating assessment procedures throughout the program Assessment follow-up Research regarding developmental screening tests and assessments Assessment tools as a method of communicating with colleagues, families and specialists Critical analysis of assessment tools and strategies for developmental and/or cultural appropriateness Analysis of the results of using the Early Childhood Foundations Assessment