CPT Observation and Assessment Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a key ethical consideration when sharing observational data about a child?
- Sharing findings with all staff at team meetings without restriction
- Maintaining confidentiality and sharing only with those directly involved in the child's care (Correct answer)
- Posting documentation on classroom walls for transparency
- Allowing parents to access other children's records for comparison
Correct answer: Maintaining confidentiality and sharing only with those directly involved in the child's care
Confidentiality requires that assessment data be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know.
Question 2: A rating scale differs from a checklist because it:
- Can only be completed by specialists
- Measures the degree or quality of a skill, not just its presence (Correct answer)
- Records behaviors in a narrative format
- Is completed by the child independently
Correct answer: Measures the degree or quality of a skill, not just its presence
Rating scales capture the frequency or quality of a behavior along a continuum, while checklists only note presence or absence.
Question 3: When is the best time to write up observational notes from memory?
- At the end of the school year
- At the end of the week
- As soon as possible after the observation (Correct answer)
- Only when a concern arises
Correct answer: As soon as possible after the observation
Notes should be recorded as soon as possible to ensure accuracy and completeness before details fade.
Question 4: A teacher wants to track how often a child initiates conversation with peers. Which tool is most appropriate?
- Portfolio
- Anecdotal record
- Event sampling tally (Correct answer)
- Developmental checklist
Correct answer: Event sampling tally
Event sampling tracks the frequency of specific target behaviors, making it ideal for counting how often conversation initiation occurs.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a developmental screening in preschool?
- To diagnose specific disabilities
- To identify children who may need further evaluation (Correct answer)
- To rank children by ability level
- To replace comprehensive assessment
Correct answer: To identify children who may need further evaluation
Developmental screening is a brief process to identify children who may need a more thorough evaluation, not to diagnose.
Question 6: An observation note reads: 'Marcus grabbed the crayon from Lily and she began to cry.' This is an example of:
- Interpretive writing
- Objective, factual recording (Correct answer)
- A rating scale entry
- An inference about behavior
Correct answer: Objective, factual recording
The note describes only observable actions without judgment or interpretation, making it objective and factual.
Question 7: Which assessment approach involves gathering information from multiple sources such as teachers, parents, and direct observation?
- Norm-referenced testing
- Single-source assessment
- Triangulation (Correct answer)
- Criterion-referenced testing
Correct answer: Triangulation
Triangulation uses multiple data sources to create a more complete and accurate picture of a child's development.
CPT Observation and Assessment Methods 3
Which of the following is a key ethical consideration when sharing observational data about a child?