Assessment Instruments for the PPCD Population Behavioral and Cognitive

EDSP 5381
Dr. Reed
Submitted by Kelly Thurber

Behavioral Assessments:
The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System assesses the strengths and weaknesses in adaptive skills.
There is also the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) for children ages 2-5. It is a socialemotional screening that examines positive and negative social-emotional behaviors. The Early
Screening Project (ESP) is given to children ages 3-6 years and is also a social-emotional screening. This
test will rank children in social interaction, adaptive behavior, maladaptive behaviors, and aggressive
behaviors. The Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS-2) is a social-emotional screening that
examines positive and problem behaviors through parent ratings.
There are also the following diagnostic tests:
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale: Given to children ages 3-16 years and it is an adaptive behavior test
to measure the strengths and weaknesses in everyday-living tasks.
AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scale-School: Given to children ages 3-16 years and it is an adaptive behavior
test used to assess adaptive behavior in terms of personal independence and development. This test
can be compared to norms for children developing normally, with intellectual disabilities.
There are also behavioral objectives that teachers need to utilize. Behavioral objectives provide the
framework for curriculum and instruction and the measurement of the effectiveness of instruction and
learning. The objective is stated in observable, behavioral terms:
An observable behavior (action verb specifying the learning outcome)
Any special conditions under which the behaviors must be displayed
A performance level considered sufficient to demonstrate mastery.
Another approach to understanding the elements of a behavioral objective would be the ABCD
acronym:
A: audience
B: behavior
C: condition
D: degree or level of mastery

Cognitive Assessments
Formal and informal assessment should be utilized in the PPCD classroom. Assessment should also
involve the child and the family. It is also important to remember that assessment of young children is
ongoing, strategic, and purposeful. Assessment should always focus on childrens progress toward goals
that developmentally and educationally significant.
There are components of an assessment system. They are: Standardized tests, classroom assessment,
teacher designed measures, checklists, rating scales, rubrics, performance and portfolio assessment,
and technology-based assessment.
Types of Screening Tests:
Apgar: assesses health of newborns
Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale: Identifies the infants ability to modulate its
behavioral systems in response to external stimuli.
Denver II: Developmental screening to identify significant developmental delays.
There are preschool intelligence tests and they are: Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (IQ test),
McCarthys Scales of Childrens Abilities is useful in identifying mild retardation and learning disabilities.
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is useful in identifying signs of uneven
development.
The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Battelle Developmental Inventory, and Bracken Basic
Concept Scale have comprehensive assessments of development.
There is also the National Reporting System (NRS) for children ages 5-6 to measure achievement in
preschool skills and the effectiveness of Head Start program.