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(Download PDF) Early Childhood Assessment in School and Clinical Child Psychology 1St Edition Adrienne Garro Eds Online Ebook All Chapter PDF
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Adrienne Garro Editor
Early Childhood
Assessment
in School and
Clinical Child
Psychology
Early Childhood Assessment in School and Clinical
Child Psychology
Adrienne Garro
Editor
123
Editor
Adrienne Garro
Department of Advanced Studies
in Psychology
Kean University
Union, NJ
USA
v
vi Contents
Contributors
vii
viii Editor and Contributors
Korah La Serna Guilar San Carlos Charter Learning Center, San Carlos, CA,
USA
Maura Wechsler Linas Department of Special Education, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, USA
Erin M. Lucey School Psychology Program, Temple University, Philadelphia,
PA, USA
Marie C. McGrath School Psychology, Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA,
USA
Laura Lee McIntyre School Psychology Program, Department of Special
Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
M. Meghan Raisch College of Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA,
USA
Gloria E. Miller Child, Family and School Psychology Program, University of
Denver, Denver, USA
Kristen Missall College of Education, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA;
College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Karen Riley Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver, Denver,
USA
Carly Sorenson Child, Family and School Psychology Program, University of
Denver, Denver, USA
Robin Miller Young Rockford University, Rockford, USA
Chapter 1
Early Childhood Assessment:
An Integrative Framework
Adrienne Garro
Keywords Early childhood assessment Early intervention Part C of IDEA
DC:0-3R ICF-CY Developmental milestones Integrated assessment
Introduction
A. Garro (&)
Department of Advanced Studies in Psychology, Kean University, Union, NJ, USA
e-mail: agarro@kean.edu
The idea of an integrative framework for assessment is not new. However, this
concept continues to evolve, particularly with respect to early childhood assess-
ment. Since his commentary in School Psychology Review, Bagnato and others
have continued to research and highlight the need for authentic assessment
approaches. For our purposes, in this chapter, authentic assessment will be defined
as a set of data collection methods that take place in natural environments and
emphasize the engagement of young children in meaningful, functional tasks. In a
study of professionals’ perceptions regarding early childhood assessment practices,
Bagnato (2006) found that authentic strategies were rated more highly than con-
ventional testing methods on a variety of quality indicators such as utility,
acceptability, and sensitivity. Similarly, research by Ackerman and Coley (2012)
found that most states prefer use of observation-based tools in prekindergarten
assessment. Thus, the addition of authentic strategies is now regarded not only as
valid but also necessary in the field of early childhood assessment.
Other recent research has focused on potential mismeasurement of young chil-
dren due to incongruencies between purposes of assessment, types of measures
chosen, and interpretation of results (Andersson, 2004; Hallam, Lyons,
Pretti-Frontczak, & Grisham-Brown, 2014). For example, in examining the
Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System: Second Edition (AEPS:2), a
criterion-referenced instrument, and the Battelle Developmental Inventory-Second
Edition (BDI-2), a norm-referenced instrument, Hallam et al. noted that these
measures showed some inconsistencies between each other in identifying young
children as on-track or delayed in their development. Similarly, Macy, Bricker, and
Squires (2005) found that the AEPS and the BDI demonstrated overlap, but also
some differences, in identifying children who were eligible for early intervention
services and those who were not.
Overall, this body of research highlights the necessity of examining and fitting
together multiple factors in order to make valid decisions in the process of early
childhood assessment. One such factor is to clearly delineate the purposes of
assessment (e.g., screening, classification, etc.) and match these to appropriate
tools. Such matching must involve close examination of validity and reliability
properties of various tools. Validity and reliability, in turn, encompasses issues
related to sensitivity (i.e., how well a tool detects actual problems and accurately
rules out nonproblems) and specificity (how well a tool rules out negative cases and
pinpoints actual cases of a problem). In addition, the work of Hallam et al. as well
as Macy, Marks, and Towle (2014) indicates significant differences across states
related to: early detection systems (e.g., different timelines and types of Child Find
activities), eligibility criteria for programs and services, and organization and
monitoring of these services. In response to these differences, Macy et al.
emphasize the need for several system-level changes including: improved coordi-
nation and collaboration among services at the local and state levels; universal
4 A. Garro
There are several key tenets that underlie the framework of assessment presented in
this chapter. Following the presentation of these tenets, their practical implications
and potential links to intervention will be discussed. First, while it is important for
children, in general, to be evaluated in the context of environmental factors, this
tenet is especially crucial for the early childhood period, defined here as ages 1–
6 years, when children are more directly shaped by parent/family environments and
variables. For young children who are in day care, preschool, or some other
structured school setting, these contexts should also be incorporated as part of the
assessment process. The emphasis on environmental context for young children
implies that clinicians will be thorough in gaining input from parents/families, day
cares, and schools about the nature of the child’s difficulties as well as his/her
strengths. It also implies that clinicians will consider transactional influences
between children and their environments when conducting assessments. One
example of such a transactional influence is a situation where a child with higher
emotional reactivity is being raised by a parent with depression who has less
tolerance and responds more irritably to the child’s outbursts. Given this situation,
over time, the parent’s difficulties in responding calmly to the child’s behavior may
exacerbate the existing problems with emotional regulation and place the child at
higher risk for depression or anxiety. Thus, this framework assumes that goodness
of fit, in home as well as in school contexts, is a key, positive construct which can
work in the child’s favor serving a protective function.
Second, given the importance of environmental context in young children’s
lives, this framework posits that assessment is a collaborative process, which not
only involves communication with families, other care providers, and school per-
sonnel, but should actively seek their input. This input should entail specific
information about children’s functioning in multiple settings and contexts; their
interests and preferences, as well as problem areas. Families and day cares or
schools often have differing perspectives about a child’s functioning. They may
disagree about whether a problem exists or about the nature, intensity, frequency, or
duration of problem(s). These varying perspectives may reflect different beliefs and
values about what the child should or should not be doing. In light of the reciprocal
1 Early Childhood Assessment: An Integrative Framework 5
transactions between children and their environments, it is also possible that a child
shows true differences in their functioning between home and school/day care.
Either of these possibilities warrants proactive efforts on the part of clinicians to
gather data which will provide a more comprehensive picture of the child and
inform sound decision-making. For example, interviewing and/or rating forms used
with both parents and teachers will shed light on whether the same areas are viewed
as problems. Observations, interviews, and/or other methods are likely to be useful
in detecting actual differences in a child’s functioning in different contexts.
Third, assessment is intended to be flexible, consisting of multiple methods and
measures that can be adjusted based upon the needs and best interests of the child
under consideration. Flexibility often entails openness to the use of techniques and
strategies that are not norm-referenced. It is clear that many early childhood
researchers and practitioners, including several authors in this text, advocate for the
use of authentic measures when assessing adaptive behavior, communication
abilities, cognitive skills, social skills, and other developmental domains. This
author also strongly supports the employment of authentic assessment, particularly
when the main purpose of an evaluation is to develop specific interventions to
develop skills in natural settings. Thus, if an early intervention provider or pre-
school teacher is requesting assessment due to concerns about a three-year-old child
who engages in repetitive play with a small number of toys, some form of authentic
assessment is definitely warranted. Such assessment is likely to provide a sample of
information that is more directly linked to the child’s everyday functioning and to
help the provider or teacher implement strategies that are practical and beneficial.
School psychologists working in Head Start centers, early intervention sites, or
preschool programs for children with disabilities may be directly responsible for
assessing a toddler or preschooler’s cognitive abilities, adaptive behavior levels,
social skills, and/or other areas through standardized measures. Although psy-
chologists may be asked and/or required to use a specific type of instrument or
method in these evaluations, this does not detract from their ability or responsibility
to be comprehensive and gather data that goes beyond the provision of a
norm-referenced score. In line with the integrative framework proposed in this
chapter, both quantitative and qualitative tools are deemed beneficial in under-
standing children’s functioning, including strengths and weaknesses, and their
interactions with environmental factors.
The importance and advantages of authentic assessment for young children are
evident from a practical standpoint, and several research studies have examined the
validity and/or reliability of these methods (e.g., O’Grady & Dusing, 2015).
Qualitative research supporting the use of authentic approaches has also been
conducted (Lee, 2013). In adopting a flexible and multifaceted approach, this author
also proposes that there is a place for norm-referenced measures with younger
children depending upon the purpose of assessment. For instance, if a young child
appears to demonstrate language delays and his parents are seeking early inter-
vention services, an evaluation using a norm-referenced measure is likely to be
beneficial and, perhaps, even required, in order to obtain these services. While some
advocates of authentic assessment have also pushed to end the required use of
6 A. Garro
During the first year of life, as rapid developmental changes are taking place, it is
often difficult for clinicians to decide if a baby and her/his family need services.
Many psychologists are not involved with children this young, and pediatricians
may also adopt a wait-and-see approach. The latter is more likely to occur if the
child is not born with any clear or definite disability/condition (Bailey, Skinner,
Hatton, & Roberts, 2000). Some conditions or syndromes emerge gradually and are
less apparent. To help facilitate appropriate referrals, it is vital that day care pro-
viders, pediatricians, and personnel from other disciplines maintain a collaborative
system with families. There is some research indicating that families who come
from low-income or minority backgrounds and those with less educated mothers are
more likely to have negative experiences in obtaining early intervention services for
their babies and young children (Bailey, Hebbeler, Scarborough, Spiker, & Mallik,
2004). Thus, more concentrated efforts should be aimed at families who present
with these risk factors. In addition, Macy et al. (2014) note that young children who
present with particular sets of risk factors characterized as biological (e.g., family
history of specific conditions, prematurity, etc.) or environmental, which is further
broken down into social history and parent–child interactions, require more con-
centrated early detection efforts. For psychologists, even if they are not directly
involved with screening, assessment, or identification at this young age, they can
provide psychoeducation and counseling to parents and/or other family members.
8 A. Garro
During infancy, it is also important to reconsider the concepts of risk and pre-
vention. Children born with particular conditions (e.g., Down syndrome, exposure to
alcohol) present with known risk factors. While strategies of primary/universal
prevention are not applicable to these syndromes once a baby is born, secondary and
tertiary prevention are imperative to reduce the negative effects that already exist and
to promote optimal outcomes for affected children. At the family and community
levels, prevention/intervention strategies may not only involve formal referral to the
early intervention service loop, but also other activities such as helping to find respite
care and appropriate care providers. When infants present with problems that are less
visible or distinctive, clinicians, including psychologists, can still contribute even if
they are not serving as direct service providers. For example, if a family comes for an
intake either for the infant or another child member, clinicians may capture prenatal,
perinatal, and/or family history that clarifies patterns of difficulty or helps to track the
child’s developmental trajectory. For psychologists in typical school settings,
although their role will not involve direct evaluation of infants, they may still be in a
position to support parents/families if they have an already existing relationship with
a sibling. By providing a supportive climate in schools, they can assess potential
stressors for families with an infant and guide them to resources, including early
intervention if necessary. For some families, having a secure connection with any
clinician may help them feel comfortable in seeking assistance if they have concerns
about their infant.
Once past the infancy period, psychologists are more likely to encounter
referrals for young children based upon concerns related to developmental delays,
behavior difficulties, and/or social-emotional problems. These referrals may come
from pediatricians, other professionals, child care centers, or parents/families
themselves. As the toddler years progress into preschool, there are additional
opportunities and challenges related to early childhood assessment. Parents may
struggle in understanding what falls within the range of normal or typical, even if
they already have older children. Teachers and day care providers may have
varying levels of knowledge and experience when it comes to referring children for
developmental or psychological services. The picture is also complicated by the fact
that many young children do not attend formal day care centers or preschools.
Although the percentage of children ages 3–6 years (not yet in kindergarten) who
attend center-based early childhood programs rose from 2007 to 2012, about 40 %
of children in this age range in 2012 were not enrolled in these types of programs
(Rice et al., 2014). When percentages are more closely examined by age, fewer
three-year-old children attend preschool/child care in comparison to four-year-old
children (Barnett, 2008). Given these statistics, there are still substantial numbers of
young children who do not have structured school-type experiences before
kindergarten and, thus, might miss out on opportunities to enhance their readiness
for formal schooling.
According to Barnett’s (2008) review, meta-analyses provide extensive support
for the positive short-term effects of preschool on children’s development, including
effects in the cognitive and social-emotional domains (Camilli, Vargas, Ryan, &
Barnett, 2010; Gorey, 2001; Nelson, Westhues, & MacLeod, 2003). There is also
1 Early Childhood Assessment: An Integrative Framework 9
considerable support for the beneficial, long-term effects of preschool; these effects
involve higher cognitive abilities, better high school graduation rates, lower rates of
retention and special education placement, and more positive social outcomes (Aos,
Lieb, Mayfield, Miller, & Pennucci, 2004; Camilli et al., 2010; Karoly, Kilburn, &
Cannon, 2005). Although these effects do decline over time, the overall data sug-
gest that preschool is associated with healthy outcomes for young children.
Barnett’s review not only addressed overall effects of preschool, but also delineated
more specific outcomes based upon other variables. For example, type of preschool
program is important to consider. Family day care homes tend to generate no
significant positive effects on development, while more structured programs with
specific quality indicators (e.g., Head Start) tend to produce the greatest benefits
(Barnett, 2008).
The above data suggest several possible roles for psychologists. Based upon the
fact that there are still a relatively high percentage of children, particularly children
below age four, who do not attend preschool, psychologists can and should
advocate for preschool programs as a resource and investment for the future,
especially for children from low-income backgrounds. This can be framed as forms
of primary and secondary prevention for many children who have one or more
factors that place them at risk for low achievement, school dropout, and poor
social-emotional adjustment. In addition, since children below age four are less
likely to attend preschool, psychologists and other practitioners should focus greater
attention on these younger children. This entails involvement in evidence–based
practice and policy development and implementation. More specifically, psychol-
ogists should not only provide data and education to parents/families and other
professionals regarding the effects of preschool; they should also be involved in
advocacy to make preschool more available to young children. Moreover, since it is
clear that certain quality indicators, such as smaller class size, higher education
levels for preschool teachers, and more favorable staff–child ratios are linked to
positive outcomes (Rothstein, 2008), psychologists have a responsibility to provide
data regarding these indicators.
Aside from the general benefits of providing quality early childhood/preschool
programs to young children, there is the issue of identifying younger children who
may need special education or other types of intervention. This number is difficult
to pinpoint. According to the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability
(2014), there were a total of 735,890 children aged three to five years who received
special education services under Part B of IDEA in 2012; these children represent
11.4 % of the total population of 6,429,431 ages 3–21 years who receive such
services. The research of Rosenberg, Robinson, Shaw, and Ellison (2013) indicates
that approximately 2.8 % of the nation’s infants and toddlers receive early inter-
vention services under Part C of IDEA. It is generally accepted, however, that there
are many eligible young children who do not receive such services (Rice et al.,
2014; Rosenberg, Zhang, & Robinson, 2008; Rosenberg et al., 2013).
Approximately 19 % of preschool children experience some type of mental health
problem (Egger & Angold, 2006), but this estimate does not take into account other
types of problems, such as developmental delays related to communication,
1 Early Childhood Assessment: An Integrative Framework 21