ECE 210: Observation and Assessment in ECE Programs

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an overview of observation and assessment of children in the early childhood classroom, specific to children who are between the ages of 0-5. Students will learn the purpose and methods of observation and assessment in the early childhood setting and will come to understand NAEYC Guidelines for assessment of young children in early childhood settings. Students will also learn about state guidelines for early learning. During this course, students will explore the many and varied types of observation tools and will come to understand the integral role these assessment methods play in the cycle of intentional teaching and family involvement. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

	SLOs	NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards
1	Communicate understanding of the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children.	NAEYC 3a
2	Engage in guided practice with a particular focus on classroom observation.	NAEYC 3a
3	Identify the various uses of assessment.	NAEYC 3a
4	Explain how assessment may be used in positive ways; explain how inappropriate assessment may harm children and their families.	NAEYC 3a
5	Plan and implement research-based knowledge and demonstrate competence in observation, documentation, including the use of current appropriate assessment tools to gather and share information with families and professional colleagues.	NAEYC 3b
6	Observe children showing objectivity, fairness, and absence of bias.	NAEYC 3c
7	Identify the intended uses of assessment including observation, documentation and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment, and data collection.	NAEYC 3c
8	Explain the value and importance of practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child.	NAEYC 3d

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (5 discussions)	15%
Assignments (11 observation assignments)	50%
Reflections (4 reflections)	15%
Key Assessment	20%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are at little or no cost for students.
This course uses an etext available through Libretexts.
- Peterson, Gina and Emily Elam. Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education. (2021, January 4). College of the Canyons.

Additional Course Materials

Course Schedule

Week	NAEYC Professional Standards	Course Topics	Readings / Assignments
1	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Introduction: Observation and Assessment The role of observation Becoming a skilled observer Planned and/or Spontaneous observations The role of documentation Objective versus subjective Recognizing biases Ethics guidelines Closing the achievement gap Process versus structural quality The role of the teacher High quality practices Measuring high quality	Readings and/or Videos: Read Course syllabus Read Week 1 Lecture Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 1: Observation and Assessment: The Key to Intentional Teaching Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 2: Quality Counts Read: What is observing? Assignments: Discussion Observation Assignment 1 Reflection Familiarize yourself with the online training site. Organize observation notebook.
2	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Developing Skills to Observe Gathering baseline data Understanding the child A beginning look at observation methods, tools and techniques Objective writing in observation Key Assessment for course	Readings and/or Videos: Read Week 2 lecture Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 3: Using Observation Methods, Tools and Techniques to Gather Evidence Watch: About the participants Assignments: Discussion Observation Assignment 2 Reflection on Key Assessment
3	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Analyzing Observations Using positive language Words to avoid in writing observations Descriptive writing in observations Analyzing observations: How and when to analyze	Readings and/or Videos: Read Week 3 Lecture Read ‘Positive Language’ Read ‘Analyzing Observations’ Watch Video. Assignments: Discussion Observation Assignment 3 Reflection
4 & 5	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Methods of Observation The purpose of monitoring and screening young children Public policies regarding inclusion Event Sampling Running Records Anecdotal Records Checklists and Rating Scales Temperament	Readings and/or Videos Read Week 4 Lecture Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 4: The Purpose, Process and Practice of Monitoring, Screening and Evaluation Read: ABC Event Sampling Methods Read ‘Running Records’ Read ‘Anecdotal Records’ Read: ‘Temperament in Early Childhood’ Checklists and Rating Scales Watch Video Assignments: Discussion Observation Assignments (4-8) (due at the end of week 5)
5	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Methods of Observation (cont.) Continuation of week 4 work Individual check-ins with instructor	Assignments: Check in with Instructor regarding Observation assignments Submit Week 4 and 5 observation assignments (4-8)
6	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Meaningful Curriculum and Observing Play What is curriculum? Benefits of meaningful curriculum Teacher’s role Planning cycle Assessing moral development The Role of the Environment (ECERS)	Readings and/or Videos Read Week 6 Lecture Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 5: How to Plan Effective and Meaningful Curriculum Watch Video ECERS Readings (posted on Blackboard) Assignments: Discussion Observation Assignments (9 & 10)) (due at the end of week 7)
7	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	Supporting Children’s Learning Documentation boards Assessing children’s development Family conferences Assessing language and literacy Assessing play Evaluating the Environment (ECERS)	Readings and/or Videos Read Week 7 Lecture Read Peterson and Elam, Chapter 6: Using Documentation and Assessment to Communicate with Families Assignments: Discussion Submit Week 6 and 7 observation assignments (9 & 10) Reflection
8	1,2,3,4,5,6,7	ECERS Program Evaluations Rating Scales	Readings and/or Videos Read Chapter 8 Lecture Assignments: Discussion Observation assignment 11 Reflection Upload Final Key Assessment

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.