ECE Observation and Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher uses a running record to document a child's reading behavior. This tool is MOST useful for:
- Comparing the child's score to national norms
- Capturing a detailed, continuous sequence of behavior as it occurs (Correct answer)
- Recording whether literacy milestones are present or absent
- Measuring fine motor skill development
Correct answer: Capturing a detailed, continuous sequence of behavior as it occurs
Running records provide a verbatim, moment-by-moment account of behavior, capturing context and sequence that other tools miss.
Question 2: Which ethical principle requires that assessment information be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know?
- Validity
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Reliability
- Objectivity
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Confidentiality protects children's privacy by limiting access to assessment data to authorized individuals.
Question 3: Criterion-referenced assessments measure a child's performance:
- Against the average performance of other children the same age
- Against a predetermined set of skills or learning standards (Correct answer)
- Using observations collected only during structured activities
- Based solely on parent and family reports
Correct answer: Against a predetermined set of skills or learning standards
Criterion-referenced tools evaluate mastery of specific skills or benchmarks, not how a child compares to peers.
Question 4: An observer watches a child's block-building for 10 minutes and records everything the child does. This is an example of:
- Time sampling
- Event sampling
- Running record (Correct answer)
- Rating scale
Correct answer: Running record
A running record documents all behaviors continuously within a defined time window, capturing the flow of activity.
Question 5: Which factor MOST threatens the reliability of an observational assessment?
- Observing children during routine daily activities
- Observer bias based on prior knowledge of the child (Correct answer)
- Using the same tool across multiple observation sessions
- Recording observations immediately after they occur
Correct answer: Observer bias based on prior knowledge of the child
Observer bias occurs when a rater's expectations or personal feelings influence what they notice and record, reducing consistency.
Question 6: A screening tool with high sensitivity will:
- Correctly identify children who do NOT have a delay
- Identify most children who do have a developmental concern (Correct answer)
- Produce the same results every time it is administered
- Measure exactly what it is intended to measure
Correct answer: Identify most children who do have a developmental concern
Sensitivity refers to a tool's ability to correctly flag children who have the condition being screened for, minimizing false negatives.
Question 7: The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is completed primarily by:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Certified school psychologists
- Parents and primary caregivers (Correct answer)
- Early childhood classroom teachers
Correct answer: Parents and primary caregivers
The ASQ is a family-completed screening tool designed to capitalize on caregivers' knowledge of their child's everyday behavior.
ECE Observation and Assessment 3
A teacher uses a running record to document a child's reading behavior.
This tool is MOST useful for: