In this course we explored aspects of high-quality classroom environments for young children. For the final project you’ll investigate nationally recognized environmental rating scales such as the ITERS/ECERS, and explore how to utilize formal and informal assessment tools to enhance the classroom environment and their teaching practice.
Select one of the tools listed below:
Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-3)
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3)
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-3)
School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale Updated (SACERS)
Using the resources provided in the course and the links provided, examine the tool, and develop a 5-7 page paper that outlines the following components.
Provide an overview of ERS Tools, and describe the one you selected.
What is meant by validity and reliability? Do the scales you selected meet these criteria?
Describe how a rating scale can assist with classroom or program development.
Describe how a teacher might is interpret data on the early childhood environments gathered through nationally recognized rating scales. Provide examples.
Research
As an example, please begin by selecting a specific tool and using the links provided, research more about the purpose of the assessment tool, reliability and validity, and how it is utilized. Explain what you learned.
Practice Example 1
The ECERS consists of 35 items organized into 6 subscales; Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Language and Literacy, Learning Activities, Interaction, and Program Structure. Imagine that a preschool classroom in a small urban school received a low score is the area of personal care routines. We know that the subscale for personal care routines includes items such as Meals/snacks, Toileting/diapering, Health practices, and Safety practices. Based on what you learned about curriculum and environments, what might we learn from this score and how does this inform your professional practice? We are not observing a specific program, so general examples are fine. For the purpose of this exercise, describe high quality practices that would be a goal for any classroom.
Practice Example 2
Similarly, the ITERS consists of 33 items organized into 6 subscales: Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routine, Language and Books, Activities, Interaction, and Program Structure. For the subscale Language and Books, the items include Talking with children, Encouraging vocabulary development, Responding to children’s communication, Encouraging children to communicate, Staff use of books with children, and Encouraging children’s use of books. Based on what you learned about curriculum and environments, what might we learn from this score and how does this inform your professional practice? We are not observing a specific program, so general examples are fine. For the purpose of this exercise, describe high quality practices that would be a goal for any classroom.
