
Quality Assurance
- Assess whether teacher instruction and effectiveness are improving over time
- Pinpoint student learning needs and changes required in instructional environments, and program policies and practices.
- Identify specific tactics that will improve personal practice
Data driven decision making is a process for using assessment results to improve teaching and learning. A quality data system enables educators to run reports, track progress, and evaluate effective strategies. ECA’s workshops on data driven decision making – such as Helping Teachers Use Assessment Data and Using Assessment to Inform Curriculum – provide teachers and education leaders with intensive learning and necessary tools for systematically collecting, organizing and analyzing multiple data sources to improve student performance.
Child and Classroom Assessment
We present strategies for linking assessment to instruction and for using assessment to improve student outcomes. Integrated into our work are the four essential elements of data driven instruction: multi-tiered model of service delivery; use of scientifically based materials and practices; integrated data collection and assessment systems; and a problem solving protocol.
ECA’s training and technical assistance focuses on the components of explicit instruction, including defining instructional tasks, scaffolding, strategic integration of skills, modeling and feedback, planned review and priming background knowledge and big ideas. Teachers examine their own practices – instructional pacing, strategies for creating interactive lessons, and maintaining student engagement. They crosswalk their practices to a best practice, inclusive based model. Once comparisons are made between actual and desired practices, teachers create action plans for making instruction more explicit and intentional.
ECA conducts Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations of pre-k through grade three; ELLCO (Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observations) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale) observation assessments and provides teachers with formal feedback; creates a summary report of findings; and provides recommendations for future PD/TA for teachers.
ECA also creates guidance for childcare regulations across settings, and has developed workforce competencies for several states.