1. Evaluating Center Components
Chapter 14
Evaluating Center Components

2. Chapter Objectives Explain the purpose of evaluation
Describe the director’s role in evaluation
Describe how the center, the staff, and the director may be evaluated
List several methods of assessing children’s progress
List criteria for selecting an assessment tool

3. Purpose of Evaluation Purpose of evaluation is to
Measure center’s program and services
Determine staff’s effectiveness
Assess children’s progress
Determine the progress toward the goals of the center
To determine the efficiency of time, costs, and energy
To have a solid basis for future planning

4. Staff Evaluation
Ongoing evaluation should begin when staff members are hired
Goals for the center and individual classrooms should be shared
Staff should be made aware of the evaluation process

5. Director’s Role Director’s role is to
Observe and analyze work of staff person
Encourage the development of that person’s strengths and discourage weaknesses
Promote growth rather than to provide total on-the-job training
Observations, video taping
Develop a work plan for teacher improvement
Discussion Question
How can a director with limited resources provide motivation for the staff to reach their potential?

6. Staff Evaluation (continued)
Assessments are gathered about the children and information is gathered
Evaluation is the process of making judgments about a program or techniques

7. Child Evaluation / Assessment
Process of gathering information about children in order to make educational decisions
Evaluation
Process of making judgments about the merits, value, or worth of educational programs, projects, materials, or techniques

8. Child Assessment Methods
Appropriate materials of assessing children
Developmental appropriateness of methods
Cultural and linguistic responsiveness of the methods
Connection of the methods to children’s daily activities
Support of the methods by professional development
Inclusion of families
Connection of the methods to specific, beneficial purposes

9. Child Assessment Ethics
We shall do no harm to children is most important principles (NAEYC)
Will not put children in stressful situations
Results help in enabling families, teachers, and other professionals to plan for child’s continued growth
Assessments will not detract from other important opportunities for children (i.e., art, physical activity)

10. Assessment Tools Assessment tools
Teacher observations
Checklists
Rating scales
Portfolios
Reports from other professionals
Standardized tests
Assessments should not drive curriculum

11. Teacher Observations Running records Anecdotal records
Notes recorded on file cards or in logbook
Teacher notes
Changes in developmental levels
Social/emotional changes
milestones

12. Checklists
Checklist that names behaviors toward which center objectives are aimed
Teacher checks whether or not the child exhibits the listed behavior
Discussion Question
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a checklist to assess young children?

13. Rating Scales
Rating scales lists behaviors aimed at center’s objectives and teacher rates on a scale as to where she believes the child is operating
Discussion Questions
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a rating scale in assessing young children?
What about staff assessment?

14. Portfolios Provides valuable information about each child
Teachers anecdotal records
Notes on plans for that child
Progress reports
Reports from previous teachers, agencies, or consultants who have worked with the child
Photos, videos, and audio tapes
Child’s work sampling

15. Sharing Information Teacher-director conferences Agency contacts
Parent-teacher conferences

16. NAEYC Position Statement
Evaluation of children.

17. Total Program Evaluation
Directors must evaluate the needs and goals of entire program
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS)
Preschool Administration Scale (PAS)
Early Language & Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO)
Cultural Competency Agency Self-Assessment Instrument (Child Welfare League of America)

18. Accreditation Accreditation programs 3-step process
National Accreditation Commission for Early Care & Education Programs (NAC / National Association for Child Care Professionals)
NAEYC Accreditation
NCCA Accreditation (National Child Care Association)
3-step process
Self-study
Self-assessment
External review process

19. NAEYC Link http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation

20. Chapter Summary
An evaluation plan is an essential component of the total program
Staff
Center
Children
Accreditation is form of evaluation
Evaluation is an ongoing process and is directly related to maintaining and improving goals of the center