1

My Ethical Commitment

My Ethical Commitment

Teri Miskin

Brigham Young University – Idaho

CHILD 350

Brother Rowe
2
My Ethical Commitment
Observation, documentation, and assessment of young children’s progress and
achievements is ongoing, strategic, reflective, and purposeful

I will embed assessment into everyday activities and lesson plans for the children in order to help
them be authentic assessment. I will take advantage of unplanned activities and opportunities
during the day in order to observe the children in my program while taking part in random
interactions. This means observing children when they are participating in solo activities as well
as in groups. I will use the results from these spontaneous observations and use the results
documented to plan new lessons as well as communicate with families involved. I will also use
the results to improve my program as to not overuse any standardized assessments. I will limit
any assessments that are in electronic form as it is not developmentally appropriate for young
children.

Assessment focuses on children’s progress toward developmental and educational goals

The goals used in my program will have input from families as well as the background,
knowledge, and experience of the children. These goals will be developmentally appropriate as
well as achievable. These goals will help create pride in the children’s and families lives enough
to be celebrated when met. This will help children master new skills and reach goals before
moving on to the next.

A system is in place to collect, make sense of, and use observations, documentation, and
assessment information to guide what goes on in the early learning setting.

I will use this system when it comes to lesson planning and helping the children in all learning
environments and experiences. I will make sure that I use assessment continually in my program
to help my teaching as well as the children’s learning improve. I will encourage the children in
my program to document their learnings as well.

The methods of assessment are responsive to the current developmental accomplishments,

language(s), and experiences of young children. They recognize individual variation in
learners and allow children to demonstrate their competencies in different ways.

The methods I will use will be appropriate for the child’s development and growth. If a child’s
native language is different than what is spoken in the program then I will enlist in getting a
specialist such as a translator or interpreter to help the child. If needed I will use screening
assessment tools so that each child can learn and be assessed properly and show their abilities
despite their language or background. Then if it is appropriate I will share what has been found
with the parents or families of the children.

Assessments are used only for the populations and purposes for which they have been
demonstrated to produce reliable, valid information.

If I am required to use a testing tool that is not been proven reliable or valid I will make sure it is
used sparingly but not make it a habit when it comes to anything overly important.
3
My Ethical Commitment
Decisions that have a major impact on children, such as enrollment or placement, are made
in consultation with families.

In order to make these decisions I will gather information from many different sources including
but not limited to, families, observations, and specialists (if needed).

When a screening assessment identifies a child who may have a disability or individualized
learning or developmental needs, there is appropriate follow-up, evaluation, and, if needed,
referral.

While using these screening tools I am aware that they are not used to diagnose a child but
merely to see what issues need further assistance by a specialist. I will use families as sources of
information if needed.

When all assessment tools and standards are used then a program with children will
succeed.

I know that using these tools and standards shared about will benefit my program to its fullest.
These standards will help me be a better professional and learn to change my ways of teaching so
that each student is assessed appropriately. That no matter a child’s background, language, or
development they will be able to be assessed just like the other children and special tools and
other professionals will make it possible when needed. Due to these standards parents will have
all the information they need on how to further their children’s education in their home life so
that they can reach new goals frequently individually and as a team.