WHAT IS RIGHT WITH OREGON'S KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT (KA)?
The test used to assess "approaches to learning," the Child Behavior Rating Scale, is very good. Children are not directly tested as it is based on teacher observations of children's behaviors. It includes some of the most important aspects of readiness; those
that best predict later reading ability and success in school. It reflects realistic expectations of children at the age that they
enter kindergarten. It includes behaviors that kindergarten teachers consider to be the most relevant for readiness. .
Both Jada Rupley from the Early Learning Council and Kara Williams from the Department of Education stated that this is the most important part of the KA. BUT, reports to the media from ODE, the Early Learning Council, and from Governor Kitzhaber focus on the results of the letter name and letter sound tests.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OREGON'S KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT (KA)?
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has not defined what it means to be ready for kindergarten READ MORE
It does not assess most of the skills and knowledge that ODE states children should learn in preschool. It does not assess all the areas of development that contribute to readiness. It does not meet guidelines for measuring school readiness published many venerable groups, including the U.S. Department of Education. READ MORE
The literacy and math tests are not readiness tests. They test what children will learn during kindergarten, not what we expect
them to know when they enter kindergarten (readiness). This puts undue stress and pressure on children, teachers, and parents.
READ MORE
It tests only very narrow aspects of "literacy," and not the most important ones. The "literacy" tests are both too easy and too hard. And the math test is too difficult in both the content and in how it is administered. READ MORE
All children are required to answer the test questions in English, For children who do not speak English or have limited English their scores reflect their (in)ability to speak English, rather than their knowledge. READ MORE
The results of the KA as reported in the press are unfounded and misleading. The use of the results is unclear. READ MORE
Details of the KA Tests
Kindergarten Assessment Specifications Manual - Very comprehensive; includes the test items, instructions, history, links, etc.
The easyCBM (curriculum based measure) - The letter naming, letter sound, and math tests come from this instrument
The Child Behavior Rating Scale - This is the measure of "Approaches to Learning"
Kindergarten Assessment Resources - Has links to the results, training guides, and more
What are better alternatives? What are other states doing?
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
Vermont's Statewide Report on Kindergarten Readiness - Scroll to pages 3-4 to see what they assess
Early Development Inventory (EDI)
PIPS (Performance Indicators in Primary Schools) - Developed in England and used there and in many other countries (FYI: "Reception" is their term for "Kindergarten")
Teaching Strategies Gold - Page fourteen of the manual describes its use for assessing kindergarten readiness
California's Desired Results Developmental Profile - School Readiness (DRDP-SR) - developed by the Center for Child and Family Studies, WestEd
Pros and Cons Radio Broadcast on OPB
Think Out Loud: Assessing Kindergartners
Articles
The Disturbing Transformation of Kindergarten
Early Learning: This Is Not a Test
School Readiness Assessment
Developing Kindergarten Readiness and Other-Large Scale Assessment Systems: Necessary Considerations in the Assessment of Young Children
Organizations that support children's healthy development
Build Initiative - Supports State leaders in developing early childhood systems
Defending the Early Years
FairTest - the National Center for Fair and Open Testing
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Save Our Schools (Oregon)
Save Our Schools (National)
Oregonian
January 31: Oregon Children Arrive at Kindergarten Knowing Few Letters, Fewer sounds
All articles, letters, guest opinions, etc. on the topic can be found HERE
Governor Kitzhaber's press release
Information about the KA System Administration and Supports
Governor's Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB)
Early Learning Council - This group is responsible for the development of KA system,, including selection of the tests
Oregon's Early Learning System
Early Learning Council's Kindergarten Assessment page
Children's Institute
Swati Adarkar's post: Oregon's KRA an Important Beginning
Ready for School Initiative - CI staff worked very closely with the Early Learning Council to develop the KA system
The test used to assess "approaches to learning," the Child Behavior Rating Scale, is very good. Children are not directly tested as it is based on teacher observations of children's behaviors. It includes some of the most important aspects of readiness; those
that best predict later reading ability and success in school. It reflects realistic expectations of children at the age that they
enter kindergarten. It includes behaviors that kindergarten teachers consider to be the most relevant for readiness. .
Both Jada Rupley from the Early Learning Council and Kara Williams from the Department of Education stated that this is the most important part of the KA. BUT, reports to the media from ODE, the Early Learning Council, and from Governor Kitzhaber focus on the results of the letter name and letter sound tests.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OREGON'S KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT (KA)?
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has not defined what it means to be ready for kindergarten READ MORE
It does not assess most of the skills and knowledge that ODE states children should learn in preschool. It does not assess all the areas of development that contribute to readiness. It does not meet guidelines for measuring school readiness published many venerable groups, including the U.S. Department of Education. READ MORE
The literacy and math tests are not readiness tests. They test what children will learn during kindergarten, not what we expect
them to know when they enter kindergarten (readiness). This puts undue stress and pressure on children, teachers, and parents.
READ MORE
It tests only very narrow aspects of "literacy," and not the most important ones. The "literacy" tests are both too easy and too hard. And the math test is too difficult in both the content and in how it is administered. READ MORE
All children are required to answer the test questions in English, For children who do not speak English or have limited English their scores reflect their (in)ability to speak English, rather than their knowledge. READ MORE
The results of the KA as reported in the press are unfounded and misleading. The use of the results is unclear. READ MORE
Details of the KA Tests
Kindergarten Assessment Specifications Manual - Very comprehensive; includes the test items, instructions, history, links, etc.
The easyCBM (curriculum based measure) - The letter naming, letter sound, and math tests come from this instrument
The Child Behavior Rating Scale - This is the measure of "Approaches to Learning"
Kindergarten Assessment Resources - Has links to the results, training guides, and more
What are better alternatives? What are other states doing?
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
Vermont's Statewide Report on Kindergarten Readiness - Scroll to pages 3-4 to see what they assess
Early Development Inventory (EDI)
PIPS (Performance Indicators in Primary Schools) - Developed in England and used there and in many other countries (FYI: "Reception" is their term for "Kindergarten")
Teaching Strategies Gold - Page fourteen of the manual describes its use for assessing kindergarten readiness
California's Desired Results Developmental Profile - School Readiness (DRDP-SR) - developed by the Center for Child and Family Studies, WestEd
Pros and Cons Radio Broadcast on OPB
Think Out Loud: Assessing Kindergartners
Articles
The Disturbing Transformation of Kindergarten
Early Learning: This Is Not a Test
School Readiness Assessment
Developing Kindergarten Readiness and Other-Large Scale Assessment Systems: Necessary Considerations in the Assessment of Young Children
Organizations that support children's healthy development
Build Initiative - Supports State leaders in developing early childhood systems
Defending the Early Years
FairTest - the National Center for Fair and Open Testing
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Save Our Schools (Oregon)
Save Our Schools (National)
Oregonian
January 31: Oregon Children Arrive at Kindergarten Knowing Few Letters, Fewer sounds
All articles, letters, guest opinions, etc. on the topic can be found HERE
Governor Kitzhaber's press release
Information about the KA System Administration and Supports
Governor's Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB)
Early Learning Council - This group is responsible for the development of KA system,, including selection of the tests
Oregon's Early Learning System
Early Learning Council's Kindergarten Assessment page
Children's Institute
Swati Adarkar's post: Oregon's KRA an Important Beginning
Ready for School Initiative - CI staff worked very closely with the Early Learning Council to develop the KA system