Preschool Assessment: Principles and Practices
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Comprehensive and user friendly, this ideal professional reference and graduate text provides a developmentally informed framework for assessing 3- to 6-year-olds in accordance with current best practices and IDEA 2004 guidelines. The authors are leading clinician-researchers who take the reader step by step through selecting appropriate measures, integrating data from a variety of sources, and using the results to plan and evaluate effective interventions and learning experiences. Coverage encompasses screening and assessment of cognitive, linguistic, emotional, and behavioral difficulties, including mental retardation and autism. Case studies illustrate key facets of assessing diverse children and families; appendices offer concise reviews of over 100 instruments. Doody Review Services Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)Description:This book presents a developmental approach to the assessment of preschool children, combining research with federal law and clinical practice, along with multicultural considerations. The appendixes include a review of over 100 assessment instruments.Purpose:The authors designed the book "to be a primary text in courses on preschool/early childhood assessment and a manual for clinical practice," noting, it "focuses on how to think about assessment issues, select appropriate measures and procedures (extensive test reviews are presented), and integrate diverse information for use in decision making; there is less emphasis on how to administer tests.Audience:According to the authors, the book is intended "both for graduate students and for practicing assessors, including school and child clinical psychologists, early childhood and special educators, learning disability specialists, and speech-language specialists." Both authors are from the school psychology program at Teacher's College, Columbia University. Dr. Brassard is Associate Professor and has been involved in the assessment of preschool children for over 25 years. Dr. Boehm is Professor Emerita and has developed two childhood tests: the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (for grades K-2) and the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (for preschool).Features:This comprehensive overview of the assessment of preschool children includes a framework for preschool assessment; a multifactor ecocultural model of assessment and the assessment process; assessment of linguistically and culturally diverse preschoolers: increasing culturally sensitive practices; assessment of emotional development and behavior problems. It is easy to read and provides a step-by-step approach to the assessment process. An example is chapter on screening practices and procedures, where the authors outline nine detailed steps. They also include case examples. The numerous figures/tables help to elucidate the material. Many of the chapters include appendixes, reviewing assessment measures discussed in the chapter. Assessment:This book is excellent. Both the seasoned veteran and novice assessor will gain important insights. The publisher has a good reputation for publishing books that help current and future clinicians learn more about assessment and therapy. This is another wonderful book in that tradition.
1. A Framework for Preschool Assessment 2. A Multifactor Ecocultural Model of Assessment and the Assessment Process3. Technical Concerns 4. Observation of the Child5. Observation of Environments 6. Screening Practices and Procedures: A Focus on Developmental Screening7. Assessment of Early Academic Learning 8. Family Assessment9. Assessment of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Preschoolers: Increasing Culturally Sensitive Practices10. Assessment of Language Development11. Cognitive Assessment, Susan Vig and Michelle Sanders12. Assessment of Mental Retardation, Susan Vig and Michelle Sanders13. Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders14. Assessment of Emotional Development and Behavior Problems
