Pine Crest Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale Florida uses the Children’s Progress assessment tool that is based on input from ERB on performance standards for independent schools. Yamara Higgins, the school’s instructional technology teacher, administered the assessment to over 150 students, working with classroom teachers to interpret and use the reports.
Ms. Higgins was amazed at the way the assessment quickly engaged students in a more relaxed assessment environment. She explains, "The children really enjoyed using the Children's Progress Academic Assessment. When they came back to the computer lab the next week, they wanted to do the assessment again – this experience really helped in removing test anxiety for children, and helped us get a more accurate assessment.”
This school also found the reports invaluable for communicating with parents. Ms. Higgins reports: “With one child in particular, the Children’s Progress assessment really broke down where her weakness was, and identified it clearly. Because the narrative report put everything in writing, it helped us to communicate clearly with her parents, so they could understand how to help her. "
