A Study on Assessment and Evaluation Practices Selected Private Kindergartens Adwa Town

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practice of assessment and evaluation methods of kindergarten children in some selected private kindergartens of Adwa town. To this end, descriptive survey method was employed. Out of 25 private KGs in the town six KGs were selected through simple random sampling method and availability sampling was used to select the kindergarten teachers, principals of kindergarten centres, woreda education office expert, and kindergarten children at different preschool centres. The study employed questionnaire, observation, interview, and document analysis as data gathering tools. Questionnaire and interview were applied to gather data from the kindergarten teacher, principals and woreda education office experts. Pilot test was conducted in ten kindergarten teachers and the reliability of the instrument (questionnaire) was computed using Cronbach’s alpha. Accordingly, the result was 0.77. Then, quantitative data were analysed using percentage and the qualitative data were presented in words to triangulate the data obtained through quantitative methods. Findings made clear that almost all (90%) of the respondents have an understanding of evaluation methods and teacher made tests, observations; portfolios and play based assessments are the common methods of evaluations practiced in the Kindergartens. However, challenges like lack of professional training and support, lack of skills, lack of parental involvement, and lack of evaluation resources affect the appropriateness of the assessment and evaluation methods in the Kindergartens. To this end giving professional training, parental participation, introducing developmentally appropriate practices is possible solutions to these factors. Regional Bureau of Education, Woreda Education Office, pre-school owners, pre-school teachers and parents should give attention to solve the problems. The key words in this study are assessment, evaluation, practices and kindergarten children