Authentic Assessment and Alignment with Professional Practices: Professor Marisa Macy

Have you ever wondered how to collect meaningful information about child development and learning during play and routines? This presentation will share a rationale and process for gathering data that uses an authentic assessment approach. Implications for family-centred professional practices will be shared in this session about early childhood assessment. 

Authentic assessment is a lens for observing child development and learning. Authentic assessment is an evidence-based practice. 

In this session entitled, Marisa Macy will share a working definition of authentic assessment for young children and their families. A rationale and purposes of authentic assessment will be described, as well as how it compares to conventional testing practices. Standards for conducting authentic assessment will be shared, along with a brief hands-on learning activity.  

Marisa Macy is a full professor and holds the John P. Ellbogen Foundation Professorship of Early Childhood Education at the University of Wyoming. Marisa has more than 25 years of experience as an educator. A Seattle native, Marisa earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Washington and a post baccalaureate in K–12 special education from St. Martin’s College in Olympia, Washington. She received master’s and doctorate degrees in special education with early childhood special education and early childhood intervention from the University of Oregon. Marisa completed the Certificate in Early Education Leadership from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard.

Banner photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash