Assessment of young children has been an area where there have been many difficulties because of the special nature of learning in these early years. This study examined the procedures and methods of assessment of children used in kindergartens in Hong Kong. Through the use of questionnaires to 160 local kindergarten teachers followed by a structured group interview with 3 kindergarten principals, information was gathered on: (a) the aims of assessing children in kindergartens (b) the types of procedures used for assessing children (c) the areas of development and learning experience covered by various methods of assessment; and (d) the use to which the assessment information was put once it had been collected. Participants were also asked about their perceived difficulties and the support they needed in carrying out assessment of children.

Assessment and evaluation are essential educational practice. In December 2003, a set of Performance Indicators on the Domain of Child Development (revised edition) was published by the Education Manpower Bureau and Social Welfare Department to assist preschools in Hong Kong to evaluate young children’s performance in learning and development. This paper outlines how a project conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Education has empowered 15 Hong Kong preschools using Performance Indicators to formulate strategies for self-evaluation on the Domain of Child Development. Implications for successful change of the assessment culture in the preschoosl are discussed.
[Copyright © 2008 Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research. The journal website is located at http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/en/pej/]