Course Description
This course is designed to provide an overview of observation and assessment of all children including children with developmental delays, disabilities and/or language and cultural differences in the early childhood classroom, specific to children who are between the ages of birth-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 early learning standards. 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. The course involves 20 field experience hours in the form of observations, which are required for completion of the course. A grade of ‘C’ or above is required in this course’s key assessment. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Charter Oak State College uses the ‘Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators’ to develop its students for work across a variety of early childhood settings. The Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) listed below reflect the Professional Standards and Competencies that are focused on in this course. For a full list of the Professional Standards and Competencies, visit the NAEYC website.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Explain the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment, including the role of assessment in developing appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for all young children, including children with developmental delays or disabilities. [Standard 3a, 3d]
- Engage in guided practice of classroom observation and identify the various uses of assessment, explaining how assessment may be used in positive ways and how inappropriate assessment may harm children and their families. [Standard 3a]
- Plan and implement research-based assessment, demonstrating competence in observation, documentation, and the use of appropriate assessment tools, including technology, to gather information and communicate meaningfully with families and professional colleagues in support of each child’s development. [Standard 3b, 3c]
- Observe children with objectivity, fairness, and absence of bias. [Standard 3c]
- Explain the value and importance of practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child, including children with disabilities and/or developmental delays. [Standard 3d]
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1 - 8) | 20% |
Assignments (1 - 6, 8) | 35% |
| Key Assessment (Week 7) | 30% |
| Reflections (Weeks 1, 4, 8) | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
- This course uses an OER textbook and a textbook that must be obtained from the bookstore.
The OER etext is available through Libretexts at no cost:
- The textbook available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle for a cost:
- Harms, Thelma. (2015). Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales. 3rd ed. Teacher's College Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-8077-5570-9
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,4 | Topic: Introduction to Observation and Assessment
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2 | 1,2 | Topic: Standard Industry Practices and High-Quality Assessment
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| 3 | 3,4 | Topic: Observation Methods and Tools
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| 4 | 2,3,5 | Topic: Monitoring Children's Development and Learning
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| 5 | 1,2,4 | Topics: Planning Effective and Meaningful Curriculum
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| 6 | 1,3,4 | Topics: Documentation and Assessment Methods and Technology
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| 7 | 1,3,5 | Topics: Communicating with Families
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| 8 | 1,4,5 | Topics: Professional Development and Ethics
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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.