Academic Research in Education

Harry Morgan lays the foundations of what early childhood education is by integrating the history of the field with the philosophy and theories behind this discipline. From birth to age eight, when children become integrated into society through their education at school and at home, Early Childhood Education examines the education of this age group from its historical beginnings to the theories used then and today. The writings and research of philosophers such as Locke, psychologists such as Freud, and pioneers of early childhood education such as Frobel, are covered in this concise text. With lucid and engaging prose, Morgan delineates the beginnings of early childhood education and how it has become an important field of study in education today. This edition has been updated to include recent research and how current practices and culture affect the field today. Also included in this second edition is a new chapter about critical race theory and its implications on early childhood education.

Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 5E offers all of the tried and true, comprehensive information available in previous editions, along with many new and pertinent features and benefits. Most importantly, this book provides a fully comprehensive overview of early childhood education that is solidly based on current research and theories. Readers will have at their fingertips an introduction to the field of early childhood education that is grounded in constructivist theory but also covers other theories. With a focus on developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary school children, and children with special needs, the book also includes extensively revised subsections covering appropriateness within a range of relevant topics, including the scope and need of the field of early childhood education; families, teachers and caregivers; and goals, objectives, and evaluations. The bulk of the book examines curriculum, fostering creativity, as well as physical, cognitive, language, and social development. Every facet of early childhood education is examined and explained, and with the new enhancements, will leave each reader with a thorough and comprehensive education. There is also new information about professional development to help guide the reader into the field of early childhood education. With a strong focus on DAP (developmentally appropriate practice) as well as updated references, examples from practitioners and additional legislation information, this book has become the most comprehensive resource available.

The importance of student assessment, particularly for summative purposes, has increased greatly over the past thirty years. At the same time, emphasis on including all students in assessment programs has also increased. Assessment programs, whether they are large-scale, district-based, or teacher developed, have traditionally attempted to assess students using a single instrument administered to students under the same conditions. Educators and test developers, however, are increasingly acknowledging that this practice does not result in valid information, inferences, and decisions for all students. This problem is particularly true for students in the margins, whose characteristics and needs differ from what the public thinks of as the general population of students. Increasingly, educators, educational leaders, and test developers are seeking strategies, techniques, policies, and guidelines for assessing students for whom standard assessment instruments do not function well. Whether used for high-stakes decisions or classroom-based formative decisions, the most critical element of any educational assessment is validity. Developing and administering assessment instruments that provide valid measures and allow for valid inferences and decisions for all groups of students presents a major challenge for today's assessment programs. Over the past few decades, several national policies have sparked research and development efforts that aim to increase test validity for students in the margins. This book explores recent developments and efforts in three important areas. The first section focuses on strategies for improving test validity through the provision of test accommodations. The second section focuses on alternate and modified assessments. Federal policies now allow testing programs to develop and administer alternate assessments for students who have not been exposed to grade-level content, and thus are not expected to demonstrate proficiency on grade-level assessments. A separate policy allows testing programs to develop modified assessments that will provided more useful information about achievement for a small percentage of students who are exposed to grade-level content but for whom the standard form of the grade-level test does not provide a valid measure of achievement. These policies are complex and can be confusing for educators who are not familiar with their details. The chapters in the second section unpack these policies and explore the implications these policies have for test design. The third and final section of the book examines how principles of Universal Design can be applied to improve test validity for all students. Collectively, this volume presents a comprehensive examination of the several issues that present challenges for assessing the achievement of all students. While our understanding of how to overcome these challenges continues to evolve, the lessons, strategies, and avenues for future research explored in this book empower educators, test developers, and testing programs with a deeper understanding of how we can improve assessments for students in the margins.

An overview of assessment in early childhood -- How infants and young children should be assessed -- Standardized tests : how they are used, designed, and selected -- Standardized tests : using and reporting standardized test results -- Informal assessments : observation -- Informal assessments : checklists, rating scales, and rubrics -- Informal assessments : teacher-designed strategies -- Informal assessments : performance-based strategies -- Assessment systems : portfolio assessment -- Assessment systems : communicating with parents.

In a remarkable synthesis of the research of the last two decades, a leading developmental neuroscientist provides psychologists with a sophisticated introduction to the brain--the system that underpins the functions that they study. In clear terms, with ample illustrations, Joan Stiles explains the complexities of genetic variation and transcription, and the variable paths of neural development, from embryology through early childhood. She describes early developmental processes from gene expression to physiology to behavior. Sections on clinical correlations show the consequences for later physiological, neurological, or psychological disturbances in neural development. As Stiles shows, brain development is far more complex and dynamic than is often assumed in debates about nature vs. nurture, nativism vs. cultural learning. Inherited and experienced factors interact constantly in an ever-changing organism. The key question is, what developmental processes give rise to particular structures or mechanisms? A landmark of synthesis and interdisciplinary illumination, The Fundamentals of Brain Development will enrich discussion of developmental processes and more rigorously define the terms that are central to psychological debates.

Educational Psychology Casework is a practical, accessible guide to working with children, outlining the basic skills needed and practical strategies to promote positive change and obtain the best results for children. The book covers how to develop skills such as establishing rapport, gaining a child's trust and respect, interviewing skills and techniques, and interpreting children's responses. The author outlines the theoretical background and how this translates into practical work and includes case examples which demonstrate the theory in practice. This fully updated second edition includes new chapters on problem-solving versus solution-focused work and also on measures of impact. This book is essential reading for all trainee and practising educational psychologists.

This acclaimed teacher resource and course text describes proven ways to accelerate the language and literacy development of young children, including those at risk for reading difficulties. The authors draw on extensive research and classroom experience to present a complete framework for differentiated instruction and early intervention. Strategies for creating literacy-rich classrooms, conducting effective assessments, and implementing targeted learning activities are illustrated with vivid examples and vignettes. Helpful reproducible assessment tools are provided. Purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Fully restructured around a differentiated instruction model. *Incorporates response-to-intervention concepts and principles. *Chapter on exemplary prevention-focused classrooms, with an emphasis on playful learning. *Additional appendices: multipage assessment scoring record plus sample completed forms. *Links instruction to the Common Core State Standards.

TeacherOCoParent Collaboration: Early childhood to adolescence describes the skills teachers will need for productive collaboration with their studentsOCO parents. It employs a solution-focused approach which honours the diversity of families, respects the expertise of both parents and teachers and promotes authentic communication between them."