How can you know if your four-year-old is developing the knowledge and skills in pre-K that they will need when they enter kindergarten? If you are enrolled in a high quality pre-K program, your child will go through a screening process.
MECK Pre-K uses the BRIGANCE Early Childhood screening tool, which uses observation, interviews, and child performance to pinpoint understanding in the domains tied to early development and school or kindergarten readiness.
How does the screening process work?
At the start of the school year, pre-K teachers conduct a “pre-screening” using the BRIGANCE assessment. In other words, they measure where children are in their growth at the beginning of the year. The screening materials, or “inventories,” help educators to identify potential delays and giftedness, supporting referrals for services, and planning individualized instruction.
At MECK Pre-K, we host “Smart Start to Pre-K” events every summer for families who have enrolled their children in MECK Pre-K for the upcoming school year. At these events, children participate in screenings while parents have access to resources to support the whole family. The events take place in a fun, nurturing environment so that children and their families feel comfortable and supported.
At the end of the year, pre-K educators conduct another assessment to see how much knowledge the children have gained. If a program is succeeding in preparing children for success in kindergarten, you will see positive trends from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. The percentage of students testing within normal developmental limits and as gifted should increase, while the percentage of students testing below normal developmental limits should shrink. Individually, children should show growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, regardless of where they started.
While this may seem like a lot of numbers, the screening itself is based on interactions and observations by educators. Screenings like the BRIGANCE come with training, materials and support for educators who are conducting these screenings. The screening content aligns with state-specific learning standards to equip educators with familiar information to fit their existing framework.
Why do MECK Pre-K and other high quality programs use BRIGANCE?
BRIGANCE is an industry leader in providing screening tools, assessment tools, and instructional materials for early childhood professionals. According to the BRIGANCE website, founder Albert H. Brigance was a school psychologist in the 1970s who noticed that assessment tools tended to emphasize what students didn’t know and couldn’t do. He envisioned assessments with an emphasis on what students do know and can do. He also wanted to support educators in determining next steps for each student and providing results that could be easily shared with families.
Other programs in North Carolina that use the BRIGANCE screening include NC Pre-K, Head Start and Bright Beginnings – as well as home school families and some private schools.
About MECK Pre-K
MECK Pre-K is high quality pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families. Classrooms are located in licensed childcare centers and taught by licensed teachers and highly qualified assistant teachers. You can apply online at MeckPreK.org.
Do you have a child who is not old enough for pre-K this year? Sign up for our email list and be notified when they’re eligible for MECK Pre-K. Simply go to MECKPrek.org/future-meck-pre-k-students and select your child’s age group.