In today's climate of increased accountability and diversity, alternative assessments for young children are more important than ever. That's why the timely NEW edition of this bestselling texbook is a must for all educators as they prepare to work with children who are culturally, linguistically, or developmentally diverse.

Developed by top authorities in early childhood special education and widely adopted since its first edition was published in 2001, this introductory text has been carefully updated to reflect 10 years of evolution in demographics, research, technology, and legislation. Pre- and in-service educators of children birth - 8 years will learn about 6 popular alternative assessment methods: naturalistic, focused, performance, portfolio, dynamic, and curriculum-based language. And they will: explore the advantages and limitations of each approach; effectively link assessment with intervention; get clear and specific guidelines for before, during, and after assessment; collaborate and reach consensus with families; see assessment methods in action with vivid vignettes of children with diverse needs; and discover successful strategies for teaching in inclusive environments.

With improved student-friendly features; such as chapter review questions, in-depth case studies, a glossary, and a new sample syllabus, college and university instructors will find this text ideal for introducing preservice educators to the fundamentals of alternative assessments. And the NEW CD-ROM makes this book an invaluable resource beyond the classroom, with more than 2 dozen printable forms for data collection, observation, progress monitoring, IEP/IFSP development, and more.