Assessment of School Aged Children

     Educational standards and accountability now a days, starts as early as Pre-school. This is most beneficial for an early start in education and development. Being that no two children are the same and each child has their own rate of development, it is important to understand how on going developmental assessments are so effective within their purpose.

     According to PBS, one of the most comprehensive ongoing assessment techniques is the student portfolio. PBS explains that the portfolio is a system for the collection of authentic assessments. Authentic assessment is a term that explains that “students are given opportunities to work in the application of knowledge and skills in the same ways that they are used in the "real" world outside of school. Authentic work samples are products of children's work that reflects real situations and problems addressed in the learning environment, rather than contrived instructional situations (PBS.org).” The authentic assessments can be done by way of monitoring child interaction, conferences with the child, and observation; Which I have become very familiar with during this month. I feel this is a very necessary skill for children to acquire, it allows teachers and parents to be sure that a child can use their educational and emotional and social, cognitive and motor skills inside and outside of the classroom; and appropriately during certain situations.

Being able to assess a child, especially within school age children is critical. It will allow teachers to make decisions based on placement for a child, it will help to determine a child’s progress on developmental and personal achievements, in case of any developmental concerns or delays assessing will help o diagnose learning problems, and assessing also allows teachers to use a different method of reporting to parents; other than just using the traditional report card or progress report.

References:

Grace, C., Dr. (Ed.). (2001, December). Assessing Young Children. Retrieved February, 2013, from PBS Teachers website: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/articles/assessing.html

　

　

ENGLAND

      When I studied abroad in England, I wondered what their elementary school district was like. So doing this research definitely gave me some helpful info. In England, schools use the CAF or The Common Assessment Framework. Accoring to UK’s Department of Education, CAF is a key part of delivering services that are integrated and focused around the needs of children and young people. It is a standardized approach used by practitioners to assess children's additional needs and decide how these should be met (education.gov.uk).

The CAF is a four step process in which a practitioner can identify a child's needs early. The CAF is designed to be used when a practitioner is worried about how well a child or young person is progressing (e.g. concerns about their health, development, welfare, behavior, progress in learning or any other aspect of their well-being) ,a child or their parent, raises a concern, and/ or if a child's needs are unclear, or more intense than the practitioner's service can address (education.gov.uk).

This process is voluntary, families do not have to engage and if they do, they can choose what information they want to share. Which is interesting to me because in USA we highly encourage and recommend parental participation and engagement when it comes to a child’s educational processes and assessments.

References:

The CAF Process. (2012, April 26). Retrieved February, 2013, from Department of Education website:

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/strategy/integratedworking/caf/a0068957/ the-caf-process

Consequences of Stress on Child Development

         
                                                            



        One stressor, that I feel is a common stressor for not only adults but children as well is violence and abuse. Violence and abuse comes in so many different forms. It can range from verbal and emotional abuse to physical abuse and even murder/death. I feel that violence and abuse is such a common stress in households, neighborhoods  and schools all over the world. There has been plenty of times where the children within the center I work in come to me and tell me that "mommy and daddy were fighting" or "the police came to my house and I was afraid". Its heart wrenching, not only because these children have to be exposed to these things, but also beause growing up around violent environments will eventually play a toll on a growing child, mentally, emotionally and socially. 

         Growing up, I had my far share of  exposure to violence and abuse within the household. However, I fortunately knew wrong was wrong. In many ways I just overlooked things, making it quite normal. Now in my adulthood, I can say I have never been into a fight, never been agressive or abusive. HOWEVER I know that growing up in  such an environment has put me at a place where I become extremely stressed if I do have to encounter serious conflict (verbal, mental, emotional). On a more positive note, it caused me to become extremely protective of myself, especially within relationships. I am very aware of the things I will allow and now allow based on the maltreatment I had been exposed to growing up. I recently had a conversation with a friend, who experienced physical, mental and emotional abuse as a child. She shared that it caused her to be very despressed, stressed, never wanting to leave her room and always very mean and angry.  Once she had the chance to get away from home she felt free.
     
         I could go on and on about the different experiences shared with me about abuse and violence.  Violence can cause pyschological, emotional, cognitive and long term affects for children. Resulting in emotions and behaviors such as  fear, issues with  self-esteem, depression, relationships problems, anger, poor school  and work performance and the lack of resolving conflict.

                                               

     While researching violence in difference regions I came across abuse in sub-sahran Africa. One thing that i found that caught my attention was a paragraph that stated  "Violence against women is a widespread problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Surveys conducted in sub-Saharan Africa reveal that 46 percent of Ugandan women, 60 percent of Tanzanian women, 42 percent of Kenyan women, and 40 percent of Zambian women report regular physical abuse. In a Nigerian survey, 81 percent of married women report being verbally or physically abused by their husbands. Forty-six percent report being abused in the presence of their children" (http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/457?task=view). Fortunately there are advocacates that are trying to help prevent abuse in Africa and fight for women in children that commonly deal with sexual abuse.