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Abstract: This Think Tank will examine the relative strengths and weaknesses of traditional direct standardized assessments and newer authentic assessments to evaluate improvements in development and well-being in large-scale early childhood evaluations and state accountability efforts. The session will begin with an overview of the characteristics of the two approaches and their relative strengths and weaknesses with regard to issues such as validity, reliability, cultural competence, cost, feasibility, and promotion of learning among families, providers, researchers, and policymakers. Breakout groups will discuss participants' experiences with each approach and explore what kind of assessment is best suited for various types of program evaluation. The groups will then develop a set of recommendations or considerations for appropriate uses of standardized versus authentic assessments in early childhood evaluations and accountability systems to share with the full group.

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