Sponsor
Institute of Education Sciences
Published In
Early Education and Development
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
7-3-2020
Subjects
Readiness for school, Child development -- Testing -- Assessment, Kindergarten, Educational tests and measurements, Kindergarten teachers
Abstract
In this study we examined teachers’ perspectives regarding the second year of implementing a Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Using a mixed-methods approach, we focused on the administration process, the perceived benefits of the assessment, and how teachers used the assessment to inform instruction. We also investigated whether these differed by teacher and district characteristics and how KRA experiences were different in the second year of implementation. Research Findings: Teachers generally did not view the KRA as beneficial for instruction or for students, reporting administration difficulties, inadequate KRA content, and limited utility of KRA data for supporting instruction as ongoing barriers to KRA use. Although the administration process seemed to be easier in the second year, teachers still reported it as burdensome, cutting into important beginning of kindergarten activities. Notably, teacher training and experience were associated with perceptions. Practice or Policy: Reasons for perceived lack of utility have important implications for future KRA design and implementation. These include better integration of KRAs into existing assessment systems, recognizing the added burden of KRAs to teachers (particularly at the beginning of kindergarten), and the role that additional training may have in supporting use of KRAs at the local level.
Rights
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Early Education and Development on 10/24/2019, available online:
https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2019.1679606
Final version: Copyright 2020 Taylor & Francis
Locate the Document
DOI
10.1080/10409289.2019.1679606
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/34952
Citation Details
Schachter, R. E., Flynn, E. E., Napoli, A. R., & Piasta, S. B. (2020). Teachers’ perspectives on year two implementation of a kindergarten readiness assessment. Early Education and Development, 31(5), 778-795.