One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Standardized Testing in Preschool
Hello friends!
Even though our summer programs are in full swing and we’re busy splashing in the sprinklers, today we’ve got an interesting topic that is highly debated in the education world up for discussion: are standardized tests appropriate for VPK students?
At The Melbourne Preschool, we cherish the individuality of each child. However, the increased standardization of testing in Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program has sparked discussions about its appropriateness for our young learners. While these assessments aim to gauge readiness, we question their suitability for five-year-olds.
Before we jump in- maybe you’re curious- who are we to decide what is appropriate for 5-year-olds? A great question! The owners Miss Rebecca and Mr Alex have both Bachelor’s degrees in Child Studies, and Mr Alex holds a Master’s degree in Educational Studies. Our wonderful Director Miss Odalis has been in the field of early childhood education for nearly 30 years- so this kind of thing is our bread a butter! Let’s get into it!
The Purpose of VPK Assessments
Florida's VPK assessments are designed to measure children's progress in early literacy and math skills, ensuring they are prepared for kindergarten. These evaluations provide important benchmarks for educators and parents to understand a child's development, and track their progress throughout the year. But we ask the question- if research has proven that play is the best way for preschool-aged students to learn- then why are we doing the opposite when it comes to assessments? Is there a better way than standardized testing for preschoolers?
Concerns About Age Appropriateness
We strongly believe in Florida’s VPK program and all the positive benefits it offers students, parents, and our community. But when it comes to testing- we say it is not developmentally appropriate- and we’re not the only ones! Research indicates that standardized testing may not be developmentally appropriate for preschoolers. As we’ve mentioned above, young children learn best through play and exploration, and formal testing can induce unnecessary stress. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) emphasizes the importance of assessments that are developmentally suitable and culturally responsive- but unfortunately that isn’t always the case when it comes to VPK testing.
Cultural and Linguistic Considerations
Florida's diverse population includes children from various cultural backgrounds and languages- and our center represents just that! We are a beautifully diverse moasiac from all corners of Brevard county. So standardized tests may not fully account for this diversity, potentially disadvantaging English language learners. At the moment- VPK standardized testing is only available in English, even though a sizeable portion of children in our community speak Spanish, and other langauges, at home. This language barrier and lack of cultural inclusion can lead to inaccurate test results that are skewed based on language barriers- and not knowledge. The exciting news here is that in January of this year, legislation has been proposed to offer assessments in multiple languages to better accommodate students moving forward.
Addressing Exceptionalities & Special Needs
Students with learning exceptionalities may face challenges with standardized assessments. While Florida offers the Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) for students with significant cognitive disabilities, there is concern that not all learning differences are adequately accommodated when assessing a student’s kindergarten readiness.
Balancing Assessment and Individual Growth
While standardized tests provide valuable data, it's crucial to balance them with individualized observations and assessments that consider each child's unique development. At The Melbourne Preschool, we advocate for a holistic approach that values both measurable outcomes, creativity, diversity, and the individual growth of our students.
Standardized testing in VPK programs offers insights into early learning- but it must be implemented thoughtfully. By considering developmental appropriateness, cultural and linguistic diversity, and individual learning needs, we can ensure assessments serve as tools for support rather than barriers to success.
What do you think?
Toodleoo!
Academic Sources:
Florida Department of Education. (n.d.). 2023–24 Kindergarten Screening: Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20102/urlt/K12SAG.pdf
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2009). Where we stand on assessing young English language learners. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/english-language-learners
Center for Public Integrity. (2024, January 24). Florida could offer standardized tests in languages other than English. Retrieved from https://www.cfpublic.org/education/2025-01-24/florida-could-offer-standardized-tests-in-languages-other-than-english
Florida House of Representatives. (2011). Exceptional Student Education (ESE) [Fact Sheet]. Retrieved from https://flhouse.gov/FileStores/Web/HouseContent/Approved/Web%20Site/education_fact_sheets/2011/documents/2010-11%20Exceptional%20Student%20Education%20%28ESE%29.3.pdf