Being able to assess children’s classroom experiences as well as their learning and developmental outcomes in pre-K is critically important in ensuring students have equitable opportunities in early learning programs.  Assessments are important tools that can help practitioners and policymakers understand where their support is needed most to  best support important domains of children’s development. 

Unfortunately, many pre-K assessments often fail to capture all that dual language learners (DLLs) know and can do. MDRC and New America invite you to participate in a special convening on July 6, 2022 from 3:00-4:15 pm ET that will focus on how to strengthen assessments for DLLs, with attention to incorporating children’s home language(s). You’ll hear from researchers and practitioners about the current landscape of DLL assessment, emerging practices, and strategies to support the early educator workforce.

This convening is part of an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to bolster the quality and utility of equitable pre-K assessments at scale. Participants will have the opportunity to inform the design of new and improved assessment tools and to ensure that the perspectives of state policymakers and advocates are taken into account as MDRC and partners embark on this new work. A formal agenda for the meeting is forthcoming.

Our organizations look forward to our conversation and engaging with participants on this topic to strengthen equitable early learning assessment systems across the country.

Speakers:

Lisa López
Professor, Educational Psychology, University of South Florida, College of Education

Sandra Barrueco
Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Psychology PhD program, The Catholic University of America
Director, Institute for Latin American & Iberian Studies
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs & Research

Linda Espinosa
Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri-Columbia

Lisa Luceno
Senior Director of Early Childhood Strategy, Briya Public Charter School