Module 1- Interview Two Early Childhood Professionals

I interviewed two early childhood professionals, one a pre-k teacher where I am completing my field work and the second, a Washington state employee working to implement a Quality Rating and Improvement Scale (QRIS) in the state.  The topic for my research paper is assessment and I was excited to hear what the professionals had to share with me about this topic.

The pre-k teacher told me that assessment is an important aspect of her role and she assesses her students at the beginning of the year and then every three months throughout the year.  She told me that she individualizes her instruction whenever possible and this assessment assists her in determining what needs each individual child has.  She shared with me the challenges she faces; mainly time constraints when attempting to assess all twenty students.  She shared with me that she wishes the administration at her center gave more time for this and perhaps that they did not find it as valuable as she did.

The person I interviewed that is closely linked with the QRIS currently being implemented in my state brought some interesting issues to light during our interview.  Her biggest concern in the field of early childhood education is the equality gap.  She believes that the children who are most in need of high quality early childhood programs are the children who often end up in the lowest quality programs.  The QRIS is one way that Washington is attempting to address this issue.  She believes that the QRIS is an effective way to affect broad changes in the state. 

These two interviews have helped me to see that assessment is an important issue to advocate for in early childhood education.  Following these interviews my related topics are- individual assessments to inform instruction and classroom/ center assessments to inform parents and improve overall quality of care in the state.  I am still figuring out my third topic and would love input from my colleagues.  Thanks everyone!