DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG CHILDERN 4

Developmental assessment of Young children 4 (1+3)

Lesson 15:Parent Involvement In Child Assessment

Non- discriminatory assessment

Bias can occur in the assessment process, if the child’s performance on test is unfairly influenced by race, sex, cultural background, religions. Bias assessment may result in a child being labeled as disabled, handicapped or retarded.

To overcome biased assessment, use

1. Multiple measures and gather data in naturalistic context.
2. Multidisciplinary team approach.
3. Involves parents as significant partners.
4. Focus on skills rather than labeling the child.
5. Provide services in the mainstreamed environments.
6. Examine test items for culture fairness.
7. Examine test manuals for reliability, validity and norms.

Evaluating progress on a regular basis:

1. Initial programme planning.
2. Documenting child’s progress.
3. Determining effectiveness of intervention efforts.
4. Making decision about changing the amount or type of interventions.

Use of multiple sources and multiple measures:

• It is important for legal and practical reasons. Labeling of children cannot be done on the basis of single test score. Hence comprehensive assessment should be done by using multiple scores & multiple measures to ascertain child’s performance.