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Early writing (i.e. young children's emerging skills prior to the onset of skilled writing) provides important foundations for literacy; however, its components are not evenly understood, assessed, or supported. Transcription skills (handwriting/spelling) are emphasized, while other aspects of composing are often sidelined. Understanding multiple composing components, including transcription, is critical. This study, examining a large corpus of composing samples (N = 394 samples) across two writing tasks, explores composing using a holistic conceptual frame and includes components of transcription in context (handwriting and spelling), connection (relationship between pre- and post-writing verbalizations), and discourse (quantity of ideas expressed). The results demonstrate variable skills (38%-41% of samples using scribbling and drawing; 63%-68% demonstrating connection between pre- and post-writing verbalizations) and further demonstrate that children express more ideas prior to writing, compared to following writing, on average (M = 3.48–4.12 ideas in pre-writing verbalization; M = 2.60–3.13 in post-writing verbalization), suggesting that many children transform and shorten their writing naturalistically and without prompting. Relationships between components were inconsistent (transcription and connection significantly related, ps <.05; other relationships were nonsignificant, ps >.05). The study provides insights into children's writing processes and has implications for instruction and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hearts and Flowers (H&F) task is a computerized executive functioning (EF) assessment that has been used to measure EF from early childhood to adulthood. It provides data on accuracy and reaction time (RT) across three different task blocks (hearts, flowers, and mixed). However, there is a lack of consensus in the field on how to score the task that makes it difficult to interpret findings across studies. The current study, which includes a demographically diverse population of kindergarteners from Boston Public Schools (N = 946), compares the predictive and concurrent validity of 30 ways of scoring H&F, each with a different combination of accuracy, RT, and task block(s). Our exploratory results provide evidence supporting the use of a two-vector average score based on Zelazo et al.'s approach of adding accuracy and RT scores together only after individuals pass a certain accuracy threshold. Findings have implications for scoring future tablet-based developmental assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture mediates how all people think and communicate and intercultural communication skills are required for effective collaboration. This study (2017–2021) explored intercultural communication with 40 participants in one very remote First Nations Australian community in Northern Australia. We explored the perspectives of both Yolŋu (First Nations Australian people from North-East Arnhem Land) and Balanda (non-Indigenous people, in this case Australian) on interactions during early childhood assessments of Yolŋu children (0–6 years). Our intercultural research team used a culturally responsive form of video-reflexive ethnography, a Yolŋu approach to in-depth discussion and collaborative analysis. In this article, we explore nine intercultural communication processes that were recognized and enacted by study participants. Each process is represented by a metaphor drawn from water traveling in North-East Arnhem Land. We share these processes so that others may consider exploring their relevance in other intercultural communication contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on children born prematurely has consistently shown that full-term babies outperform preterm babies by about 12 IQ points, even when tested as adolescents, and this advantage for full-term infants extends to the language and motor domains as well. The results of comprehensive meta-analyses suggest that the degree of prematurity greatly influences later test performance, but these inferences are based on data from an array of separate studies with no control of potential confounding variables such as age. This study analyzed Bayley-4 data for 66 extremely premature infants and toddlers (<32 weeks), 70 moderately premature children (32–36 weeks), and 133 full-term children. All groups were carefully matched on key background variables by the test publisher during the standardization of the Bayley-4. This investigation analyzed data on the five subtests: cognitive, expressive communication, receptive communication, fine motor, and gross motor. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) assessed for group mean differences across the three subsamples, while controlling for the children's age. Extremely premature children scored significantly lower than moderately premature children on all subtests, and both preterm groups were significantly outscored by the full-term sample across all domains. In each set of comparisons, the cognitive and motor subtests yielded the largest differences, whereas language development, both expressive and receptive, appeared the least impacted by prematurity. A follow-up MANOVA was conducted to examine full-term versus preterm discrepancies on the five subtests for infants (2–17 months) vs. toddlers (18–42 months). For that analysis, the two preterm groups were combined into a single preterm sample, and a significant interaction between the age level and group (full-term vs. preterm) was found. Premature infants scored lower than premature toddlers on receptive communication, fine motor, and cognitive. Neither expressive communication nor gross motor produced significant discrepancies between age groups The findings of this study enrich the preterm literature on the degree of prematurity; the age-based interactions have implications for which abilities are most likely to improve as infants grow into toddlerhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an investigation into the psychometric properties of the COR-Advantage1.5 (COR-Adv1.5) assessment tool, a criterion-referenced observation-based instrument designed to assess the developmental abilities of children from birth through kindergarten. Using data from 8534 children participating in a state-funded preschool program for disadvantaged 4-year-olds, we employed a multilevel bifactor model to show that CORAdv1.5 has some potential as an unbiased assessment tool for tracking developmental progress in pre-kindergarten children, under a bifactor model parameterization, with fewer dimensions than were proposed by the test developer, HighScope. Examination of factor adequacy indices revealed that, despite the multidimensional structure, CORAdv1.5 items overwhelmingly reflect variance due to the general factors at the child and classroom levels. Evidence for multilevel reliability, response process validity, predictive validity, longitudinal measurement invariance, and generalizability of the items are also reported. The findings of this study have important implications for the use of COR-Adv1.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored intercultural communication from the perspectives of partners from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We used a culturally responsive form of video-reflexive ethnography to study intercultural communication processes between Yolŋu, pronounced Yolngu (First Nations people from the region that is now called North-East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia) and Balanda (non-Indigenous people). Yolŋu and Balanda researchers worked collaboratively throughout the study (2017–2021). In a very remote Yolŋu community in northern Australia, five early childhood assessment interactions were recorded and analysed by the 40 Yolŋu and Balanda participants. Researchers analysed data collaboratively using an approach aligned with constructivist grounded theory. We connected key research findings about intercultural communication processes to a place-based metaphor which foregrounds Yolŋu cultural knowledge and encourages reflection on deeper ways of thinking about how we connect, collaborate and communicate interculturally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study represents the first meta-analytic synthesis of the utility of a widely used early-childhood self-regulation measure, the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task, in predicting children's academic achievement. A systematic review of the literature yielded 69 studies accessed from peer reviewed journals representing 413 effect sizes and 19,917 children meeting the complete set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Robust variance analysis demonstrated that the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task was a consistent predictor of children's academic achievement across literacy, oral language, and mathematical outcomes. A moderator analysis indicated that in accordance with prior research, the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task was more strongly associated with children's mathematics performance relative to their performance on language and literacy measures. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task demonstrated statistically significant, positive associations with children's overall academic performance. These associations remained stable across different participant and measurement factors and are comparable to meta-analyses examining the self-regulation and academic association with multiple measures of self-regulation and executive function.

Background: There is growing evidence about the psychological distress and mental health issues experienced by infants with developmental problems. Problems related to developmental issues can be mitigated with early identification and intervention. A simple screening measure is needed to identify infants at risk for mental health issues to make informed decisions about further assessment and interventions. In this background, the present study aimed to develop a checklist to identify infants with psychological distress and at risk for mental health issues without the need to administer full-scale socioemotional tools and intended to be used by primary care professionals for early identification of risk factors followed by intervention to reduce the risk. Early identification of infants at risk in view of the limited resources would help in reducing the impact of early trajectories on the socioemotional health of any infant. Aim: The present study aims to develop a checklist for rapid screening. In view of the limited resources of low-income countries, early identification of infants at risk is important. This would help in reducing the impact of early trajectories on the socioemotional health of infants. Methods: The checklist was based on the "functional and emotional developmental approach" and a literature review of early indicators of psychological distress and mental health issues in infants. The checklist was prepared using objective terms which were further evaluated by mental health experts using standard methods. Accordingly, a content validity index (CVI) was calculated to determine the relevance and clarity of the items. Result: Based on the CVI, 16 items were retained in the final checklist, which was reported to have excellent relevance (CVI = 0.91) and clarity (CVI = 0.84). Conclusion: The checklist is concise with adequate content validity and has the potential to be used in primary care settings to screen infants at risk for psychological distress and mental health issues and make appropriate referrals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kindergarten Entry Assessments (KEAs) have grown in popularity over the past decade due to the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education in 2015. This study addresses kindergarten teachers' perceptions of data from North Carolina's school readiness assessment and their perceptions of what administrators' value in terms of assessment data. This qualitative study utilized empirical data collected in semistructured interviews with five kindergarten teachers in North Carolina. Teachers mentioned they perceive a disconnect between their views and their school/district administrators' views of the overall utility of the NC KEA and data derived from the assessment. This perceived disconnect has played a part in perpetuating common misunderstandings of the purpose, implementation, and intended use of the assessment. The way teachers interpret and perceive communication from administrators plays a role in teacher morale, data utilization, and school culture. Findings in this study can help policymakers, teachers, and administrators understand the need for clear communication and training across all hierarchies of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on children born prematurely has consistently shown that full-term babies outperform preterm babies by about 12 IQ points, even when tested as adolescents, and this advantage for full-term infants extends to the language and motor domains as well. The results of comprehensive meta-analyses suggest that the degree of prematurity greatly influences later test performance, but these inferences are based on data from an array of separate studies with no control of potential confounding variables such as age. This study analyzed Bayley-4 data for 66 extremely premature infants and toddlers (Bayley-4. This investigation analyzed data on the five subtests: cognitive, expressive communication, receptive communication, fine motor, and gross motor. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) assessed for group mean differences across the three subsamples, while controlling for the children’s age. Extremely premature children scored significantly lower than moderately premature children on all subtests, and both preterm groups were significantly outscored by the full-term sample across all domains. In each set of comparisons, the cognitive and motor subtests yielded the largest differences, whereas language development, both expressive and receptive, appeared the least impacted by prematurity. A follow-up MANOVA was conducted to examine full-term versus preterm discrepancies on the five subtests for infants (2–17 months) vs. toddlers (18–42 months). For that analysis, the two preterm groups were combined into a single preterm sample, and a significant interaction between the age level and group (full-term vs. preterm) was found. Premature infants scored lower than premature toddlers on receptive communication, fine motor, and cognitive. Neither expressive communication nor gross motor produced significant discrepancies between age groups The findings of this study enrich the preterm literature on the degree of prematurity; the age-based interactions have implications for which abilities are most likely to improve as infants grow into toddlerhood.

Recent research suggests there is a lacking presence of assessment and its role in informing intentional teaching in the practice of play-based pedagogy. Formative assessment can be effectively embedded in pedagogy when practitioners are geared with practical tools that can be implemented within naturalistic settings. In recent times, there has been growing recognition of the importance of mathematics learning in early childhood education as foundational for later learning. This newly developed assessment – the Numeracy and Mathematics Block-Based Assessment (NUMBBA) – aims to embed formative assessment practice within multiple pedagogies for play and learning. The results from the qualitative component of a larger mixed-methods study examined how this validated tool was used by 16 early childhood educators. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed shifts in educators' knowledge of mathematics, perceptions of children's abilities, attitudes towards mathematics and assessment, and approaches to intentional mathematical pedagogy and practice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provides the best opportunity for children to receive evidence‐based early intervention. Research indicates that accurate diagnosis can be made as early as the toddler period when an assessment is completed by experienced clinicians. Typical ASD evaluations involve an assessment of developmental skills, such as those measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition. There is limited research, however, on the use of the newest iteration, the Bayley‐4, in discriminating between various developmental disorders and delays. This study compared the performance of three groups of toddlers on the Bayley‐4: (1) ASD (n = 31), (2) developmental delay (n = 26) and (3) problems specific to language (n = 45). Results of a multivariate analysis of variance indicated mean differences existed between the ASD and language groups on the five Bayley‐4 subtests that comprise the Cognitive Motor, and Language Scales; however, logistic regression analysis indicated group membership could not be predicted by performance on the subtests. Our findings suggest children who are identified with ASD at a very young age exhibit global developmental deficits, which may help distinguish them from other groups who exhibit more targeted delays. Key Points: The Bayley‐4 subtests are sensitive to the weak areas of functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, and problems specific to language. When attempting to distinguish between various neurodevelopmental disorders in very young children, school psychologists must assess all areas of developmental functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting positive early childhood development is important for both short and long-term outcomes. This paper is the second of two papers examining the measurement of four Māori constructs underpinning positive child behaviours -- tuakiri (secure local Māori identity); whānauranga (acting as a member of a whānau); manawaroa (persisting despite difficulty); and piripono (having integrity, commitment and responsibility). Here, we describe changes in measures of these constructs over a 10 month period. Whānau (families) and kaitiaki (teachers) completed questionnaires and video observations were made of 28 Māori children aged 0-5 years. Growth curve analysis revealed significant positive change in each construct across five timepoints, even controlling for age differences. These findings provide proof-of-concept that our novel measures of the four constructs are sensitive to change in positive child behaviours among preschool Māori children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor development is an inseparable component of cognitive development. So, to develop the mind, it is necessary to work the body. Therefore, Early Childhood Education curricula and the scientific literature emphasize the need to promote the development of motor skills during the 1st years of life. These skills are necessary for learning and subsequent academic performance. However, studies frequently offer only a partial view of these relationships. Few works have analyzed the specific relationships between different components of preschool gross and fine motor skills and subsequent performance on different academic competencies. Further, they present discrepant results. The aim of this study was to determinate which specific components of gross and fine motor skills assessed in Spanish students during the final year of Early Childhood Education (5 to 6-year-olds) were associated with different academic competencies assessed in the following academic year, when the students were in their 1st year of Primary Education. The final sample consisted of 38 Spanish students, aged 5. A mixed methods approach was used. It consisted of systematic observation to assess specific components of gross and fine motor skills when children were in the Early Childhood Education period, and selective methodology to evaluate their academic competencies (specifically in literacy and mathematics and overall), 1 year later, once in Primary Education. Multiple linear regression models were constructed using the computing language R to examine the association between motor skills and academic competencies. The results indicated that only the components of fine motor skills showed associations with academic competencies. The pattern of association varied when literacy and mathematics competencies were specifically and individually assessed and when overall academic competency was considered. The two assessed fine motor skills (Coordination and Integration) were associated with literacy competency (β = 0.344, p = 0.025; β = 0.349, p = 0.024, respectively) and overall academic competency (β = 0.267, p = 0.065; β = 0.493, p = 0.001, respectively). However, only Integration was associated with mathematics competency (β = 0.476, p = 0.002). The “Discussion” section focuses on the educational implications of these results and future research. It highlights the importance of early assessment of fine motor skills to identify students likely to present inadequate subsequent academic performance and the need to apply instruction and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each child.

Over the past 8 years, U.S. kindergarten classrooms have been impacted by policies mandating or recommending the administration of a specific kindergarten entry assessment (KEA) in the initial months of school as well as the increasing reliance on digital technology in the form of mobile apps, touchscreen devices, and online data platforms. Using a sample of KEAs used in 29 states in Fall 2019, in this report I examine the KEA digital technology landscape. Of particular interest was the extent to which states with similar KEA item types incorporated such technology as well as the potential impact of these technology inputs on the role of the kindergarten teacher in the KEA administration, scoring, and report‐generating processes. Analyses of the study's data demonstrated that all 29 states incorporate digital technology into their KEAs. However, differences among states' technological inputs suggested four different models of KEAs along a continuum of supplanting versus retaining teachers' active roles in the administration, scoring, and report‐generating processes. These findings have implications for short‐term research agendas aimed at supporting KEA validity, reliability, and utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor development is an inseparable component of cognitive development. So, to develop the mind, it is necessary to work the body. Therefore, Early Childhood Education curricula and the scientific literature emphasize the need to promote the development of motor skills during the 1st years of life. These skills are necessary for learning and subsequent academic performance. However, studies frequently offer only a partial view of these relationships. Few works have analyzed the specific relationships between different components of preschool gross and fine motor skills and subsequent performance on different academic competencies. Further, they present discrepant results. The aim of this study was to determinate which specific components of gross and fine motor skills assessed in Spanish students during the final year of Early Childhood Education (5 to 6-year-olds) were associated with different academic competencies assessed in the following academic year, when the students were in their 1st year of Primary Education. The final sample consisted of 38 Spanish students, aged 5. A mixed methods approach was used. It consisted of systematic observation to assess specific components of gross and fine motor skills when children were in the Early Childhood Education period, and selective methodology to evaluate their academic competencies (specifically in literacy and mathematics and overall), 1 year later, once in Primary Education. Multiple linear regression models were constructed using the computing language R to examine the association between motor skills and academic competencies. The results indicated that only the components of fine motor skills showed associations with academic competencies. The pattern of association varied when literacy and mathematics competencies were specifically and individually assessed and when overall academic competency was considered. The two assessed fine motor skills (Coordination and Integration) were associated with literacy competency (β = 0.344, p = 0.025; β = 0.349, p = 0.024, respectively) and overall academic competency (β = 0.267, p = 0.065; β = 0.493, p = 0.001, respectively). However, only Integration was associated with mathematics competency (β = 0.476, p = 0.002). The "Discussion" section focuses on the educational implications of these results and future research. It highlights the importance of early assessment of fine motor skills to identify students likely to present inadequate subsequent academic performance and the need to apply instruction and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an empirical account of the complex nature of early childhood teachers’ work with growing accountability demands for collecting, reporting, and using child assessment data in the U.S. context. Particularly, this paper focuses on preschool teachers’ experience of changes in their roles and pedagogical work in implementing a criterion-referenced, commercial online child assessment system. In doing so, this paper draws on data from a qualitative research study conducted at four Head Start sites that included semi-structured, individual interviews with six teachers and five child development specialists during three different assessment checkpoint periods; multiple observations of four Head Start classrooms for five months; and an analysis of related documents. The findings from this paper highlight that the use of commercial online childhood assessment system increased and expanded teacher work with additional responsibilities and concomitant change in assessment, curriculum, and pedagogy, as well as their views of themselves as professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Education / Revue Canadienne de l'Éducation is the property of Canadian Society for the Study of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines the effect varying models have on student understanding of fractions. The study addressed the question of what students know and understand about fractional concepts through the use of discrete and continuous models. A sample of 54 students in kindergarten and 3rd grade were given an interview pretest, participated in teacher-led classroom instruction with a series of six research-based lessons, and then were given a posttest. The purpose was to examine the use of discrete and continuous models and the impact on student understanding of fractions. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, with descriptive statistics discussed relative to quantitative pre/post data. Qualitative data were collected in the form of observer notes, teacher reflections, and anecdotal assessment. A case study approach was taken to examine findings within and across grade levels. Major findings include (1) students demonstrated growth in understanding of fractions with both models; (2) students generally understood fraction concepts better using discrete models, but results were mixed; (3) students were not necessarily able to express fractional ideas at a rigorous level; and (4) 3rd-graders were able to use partitioning effectively but were able to recognize equivalence more easily within the discrete model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of using online tests for the assessment of school readiness and for monitoring early reasoning. Four tests of a face-to-face-administered school readiness test battery (speech sound discrimination, relational reasoning, counting and basic numeracy, and deductive reasoning) and a paper-and-pencil inductive reasoning test were transferred to an online platform and administered at the beginning of school to samples of first-grade children (the sample sizes were between 364 and 435). Results of the original and the computerized tests were analyzed to explore (a) whether the new scales were identical to the original ones; (b) how the change of media influenced the reliability of the tests; and (c) whether the migration into a new medium affected gender differences. Analyses indicated that measurement invariance held in a strict sense in the case of the inductive reasoning test (the migration did not change the general look of the test or the item types) and only partially for the speech sound discrimination test (neither the item type nor the scoring principle was changed). Measurement invariance did not hold for the 3 remaining tests. In 3 tests--speech sound discrimination, relational reasoning, and deductive reasoning--the online versions demonstrated improved reliability. Only certain items of the numeracy test could be assessed on computer, and the reliability of the shortened test decreased. No differences were found between the 2 versions of the inductive reasoning test. Gender differences were explored for the speech sound discrimination test, and latent analyses indicated that measurement invariance did not hold. Girls' performance was somewhat better, similarly to former face-to-face assessments, where girls performed slightly better than boys. These results encourage further research on the extension of computer-based assessment to early childhood education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dirasat: Educational Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Concern has been raised about the under-achievement of Māori children in education. The problem has tended to be located with Māori children rather than with assessments. Clearly if one takes a sociocultural perspective achievement is situated. Although studies in early childhood education have examined and developed assessment tools and frameworks there has been little attention given to early childhood assessment methods that are congruent with Māori worldviews, ideas of valued learning and aspirations for children. This paper illustrates and provides insight into assessment by and for Māori. The paper analyses the nature of assessment understandings and practices that reflect traditional Māori values. It highlights culturally relevant assessment that makes sense to Māori, that reflects ‘being Māori’ and that supports Māori ideals and aspirations for children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The national early learning community faces the challenge of using early learning standards and assessments to improve learning environments while preserving educators' freedom to plan early childhood curriculum that accord with a child-centered focus and developmentally appropriate practices. Drawing on recent developments in approaches to undergraduate assessment, this article introduces an approach to curricular planning and assessment that uses state benchmarks as an umbrella structure to support curricular planning, assessment, and feedback among them. The benchmarks have a hierarchical structure that allows educators to think about benchmarks as embedded within educational goals, spanning different age-ranges, and involving activity across multiple domains of child development. The framework prompts educators to identify benchmarks for particular activities and to assess the age-appropriateness of activities and the degree to which they incorporate multiple domains of development. There are two primary curricular measures: (1) the match measure between educator predictions and observed activity, which provides timely feedback about the accuracy of educator predictions for different age-groups and across developmental domains, and (2) an open- ended measure, which provides information about the ways the children surprised educators by using the activity in an unpredicted manner. Both of these measures inform the development of classroom activities and curriculum. This article reports on the pilot implementation of this approach within an early learning program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will describe an approach to planning and assessment that is designed to support an emergent, play-based curriculum while helping teachers make informed instructional decisions. Using assessment that supports curriculum allows early childhood professionals to infuse early learning content standards into meaningful, relevant and connected topics of study. Through a combined effort among teachers, administrators and university faculty, one demonstration school developed a method of integrating and evaluating content standards and developmental skills into an emergent curriculum model. While this remains a work in progress, it does show promise for being an effective way to address state standards while maintaining recommended developmentally appropriate practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the impact of parent-child Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) interaction on the cognitive development in early childhood. The study, which measured MLE interactions of 14 parents with their preschool children in terms of free-play and structured tasks, showed a significant correlation between parents' MLE and children's optimal performance and cognitive modifiability. Findings also reveals that parents' MLE in playing with children have more impact than their MLE in structured tasks. The authors suggests that there must be sharing of information and experience, and sharing of affect, focus, and attention, and communication of a feeling of competence for a learning to effectively boost cognitive development.

Copyright of Dirasat: Educational Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dirasat: Educational Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Current preschool assessments lack the ability to capture performance variance and complex thinking skills. This study examined the relationship among student performance, student feelings, and teacher perceptions as they apply to using a formal performance assessment in a preschool setting. A formal performance assessment was administered to 71 preschool-aged children (56–71 months of age). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. As hypothesized, there was a significant and positive correlation between the students’ performance and the teachers’ perceptions. Furthermore, there was not a significant relationship between either the students’ feelings and the teachers’ perceptions or the students’ feelings and the students’ performance. These findings and theoretical study indicate support for the use of formal performance assessment to evaluate preschool students. Limitations and implications of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding on Reese et al. [2003], functional behavioral assessment interviews [O’Neill et al., 1997] concerning disruptive behavior were conducted with parents of 23 children with autism (6 females, 17 males, chronological ages [CA] 24–60 months) and 23 controls without autism pair-matched for CA, developmental age and sex. All children exhibited frequent disruptive behavior. The interviews suggested that matched control children’s disruptive behavior typically functioned to gain attention or items, or to escape demands in general. This was also true for girls with autism. For boys with autism, disruptive behavior more often functioned to (a) escape demands that interfere with repetitive behavior, (b) retain access to an item used in repetitive routines, or (c) avoid idiosyncratically aversive sensory stimuli (e.g., ordinary household noises). These results emphasize the importance of considering behavioral characteristics that are associated with sex and specific disorders or syndromes when conducting functional behavioral assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although performance-based assessment of early childhood development is preferred, there are a number of limitations to this methodology in low resource settings (LRSs). Hence, clinicians and researchers often rely on caregiver report screening tools. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 (ASQ) is one of the most widely used caregiver report measures globally. Adequate psychometric properties have been demonstrated in high income settings, especially when used in older children, high- risk children, or those with severe neurodevelopmental delays. However, its utility is more variable within very young children and for use in LRSs.Methods: The reliability and validity of the ASQ was determined for children ages 0-5 years living in rural Guatemala. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed, as well as concurrent and predictive validity. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values related to performance-based developmental assessment (Mullen Scales of Early Learning; MSEL) and growth status (i.e. stunting) were also calculated.Results: Internal consistency reliability for the ASQ was adequate, except when results were limited by small sample size. Test-retest reliability ranged from low to moderate (r = 0.08-0.43; p < 0.05-0.01). However, there was significant variability in mean scores over time across ASQ domain scores. In terms of validity, the ASQ did not discriminate adequately between children who performed within or below age-expectations on performance-based developmental testing or those with and without stunting.Conclusions: The ASQ did not demonstrate adequate psychometric properties in rural Guatemala, consistent with concerns documented in other LRSs. These results indicate that existing caregiver report screening measures of early childhood development should be utilized with caution in LRSs, and alternative methods for assessment or in the development and utilization of caregiver report measures should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Early VSA assessed in pre-school children using different test modes. • Assessment developed based on taxonomy by Newcombe and Shipley (2015). • Tablet and paper-pencil data fit the proposed structure of early VSA. • Development of VSA was better reflected in tablet-based assessment. Early visual-spatial abilities (VSA) were suggested to comply with a two-by-two structure differentiating between intrinsic-extrinsic and static-dynamic dimensions that follow hierarchical development. However, recent studies revealed inconsistencies regarding the structure and development of VSA for different test modes (i.e., tablet-based and non-digital testing). Thus, the structure of early VSA in 84 German-speaking children aged four to six years was evaluated, using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach, for tablet-based and non-digital assessments separately and as a joint model. In addition, the influence of test mode on behavioral data regarding children's performance and the hierarchical development of VSA was addressed. CFA results support recent propositions on the structure of early VSA irrespective of test mode. However, results only partially supported the assumed hierarchical development of VSA due to considerable differences in task difficulty between test modes. Overall, these results corroborate the view of a similar structure underlying assessments of VSA across tablet-based and non-digital testing but only lend partial support to the idea of a hierarchical development of VSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]