The early childhood professionals recognize the limitations of conventional testing with young children. This recognition has given rise to Authentic Assessment, now recognized officially as best practice by the major professional organizations. However, no national studies have been conducted to document the comparative qualities of either authentic or conventional approaches—according to meaningful external standards. Based on a national Internet survey of professionals, we report details of a social validity study of common measurement methods on eight operationally defined standards for developmentally appropriate assessment linked to professionally sanctioned practice standards and indicators. Approximately 1,500 professional responses reveal higher quality appraisals for authentic assessment over conventional testing methods for early childhood intervention purposes. Based on these results, we offer recommendations to advance valid, sensible, and contextually appropriate assessment for early childhood intervention.

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Early childhood intervention requires assessment procedures that are designed and field-validated specifically for young children with disabilities, capture real-life competencies in everyday routines, help plan individual programs, and document incremental improvements in developmental competencies. Conventional tests and testing, which have dominated measurement in the field, fail to meet early intervention purposes and published professional recommended practice standards. Fundamental changes in assessment for early intervention are needed to produce practices that are authentic, universal, and useful. Due to the advocacy of parents and professionals working together, early childhood measurement is morphing into authentic assessment, the optimal alternative to conventional testing in early intervention. The research reported by Macy, Bricker, and Squires (2005) in "An Examination of the Validity and Reliability of a Curriculum-Based Assessment Approach Used to Determine Eligibility for Part C Early Intervention Services" is a welcome addition to the evidence-base for authentic and curriculum-based assessment in early childhood intervention that has quietly emerged over the past decade.