Assessment

Why is assessment so important in preschool programs?
Research tells us that the best programs constantly measure how well teachers teach and how much children learn. They use the results to continue what is working and improve what is not; for example, to decide whether to provide more teacher training or to identify gaps in children's experiences.

HighScope has developed two comprehensive preschool assessment tools to carry out this process of reviewing and strengthening programs. 
The Preschool Program Quality Assessment (PQA) evaluates whether teachers and agencies are using the most effective program practices. Every area of classroom teaching and program operations is rated to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The Preschool Child Observation Record (COR) assesses children's learning in every content area. Each day, teachers and caregivers generate brief written descriptions, or anecdotes, that objectively describe children's behavior. They use these notes to evaluate children's development and then plan activities to help individual children and the classroom as a whole make progress. In addition, HighScope has developed and validated a specialized tool for literacy, the Early Literacy Skills Assessment (ELSA). Other measures for specific content areas are also under development. 

► For more information about HighScope's preschool assessment tools, please visit the Assessment section of our Web site.