Early Learning Outcomes Reporting

Approved Assessment Tools for FY2016-17

This information pertains to Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, and Keystone STARS 3, 4, and 4a, family, group and center facilities and will be posted on the PA Key website at www.pakeys.org.

The purpose of this announcement is to announce the approved on-line assessment tools for the 2016-17 program year. As part of the Early Learning Outcomes In order for an assessment tool to be approved, the vendor must demonstrate that the tool is valid and reliable; demonstrate alignment Reporting strategy, participating programs with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Outcomes Reporting frameworks; are allowed to switch their approved develop scoring method that produces individual outcomes for each framework indicator; and establish a process for reporting outcomes assessment tool at any time, and are data to OCDEL. encouraged to reassess their choice each Infant-toddler (0-3 years) program year.  Assessment Technology Incorporated: Galileo®  HighScope: COR Advantage  Pearson: THE OUNCE SCALE Programs are encouraged to select an  Teaching Strategies LLC: Teaching Strategies GOLD® approved tool by July 1, 2016. Typically,

Pre-kindergarten (3-5 years) programs should begin using the tool at least  Assessment Technology Incorporated: Galileo® 60 days prior to the first outcomes reporting  HighScope: COR Advantage  National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER): Early deadline. Learning Scale (ELS)  Pearson: THE WORK SAMPLING SYSTEM®  Pearson: THE WORK SAMPLING SYSTEM® for Head Start  Teaching Strategies LLC: Teaching Strategies GOLD®

Resources to help programs select an assessment tool:  One-page fact sheets for each approved assessment tool, including contact information, are posted on the PA Key website at www.pakeys.org. You can access the Early Learning Outcomes Reporting page by clicking on “Early Childhood Programs” at the top of the home page and then clicking on “Outcomes Reporting” in the left menu.

 Visit the “Selecting an approved assessment tool” section of the Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?page=Outcomes_FAQs.

Company Assessment Tool Infant-Toddler Pre-Kindergarten Head Start

ATI Galileo  

HighScope COR Advantage  

The OUNCE Scale  Pearson The Work Sampling System  

Teaching Strategies GOLD  

Revised 02/09/2016 NIEER Early Learning Scale 

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning strongly encourages programs to select an approved on-line assessment tool for the 2016-17 program year by July 1, 2016. Programs should begin using the tool at least 60 days before the first outcomes reporting deadline. Operationalizing assessment costs is a priority; however, STARS providers are encouraged to work with their selected vendor to make payment arrangements based on grant receipt. Programs who have questions not addressed in the materials available online may email them to [email protected].

Revised 02/09/2016