A Historical Study Of American Preschool Curriculum Evaluation

The evaluation of preschool curriculum plays an important role in improving the quality of the curriculum and the development of children.This study systematically reviews the development of the evaluation of preschool curriculum in the United States by the method of literature and historical research.Taking the representative events and the elements of curriculum evaluation as the clue,the history of preschool curriculum evaluation is divided into three stages:The first stage is 1965-1980 years,which is the birth of the preschool curriculum evaluation.In this period,the United States emphasizes to evaluate various preschool curriculum programs in the market,marking by the curriculum evaluation research in the Heard Start Program.There are two typical events:one is Head Start Planed Variation Study which includes 12 curriculum programs;the other is the evaluation of the long-term effect of the 11 curriculum programs by the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies.Based on the analysis of preschool curriculum evaluation during this time,researcher think that the main task is to identify and find the best curriculum;curriculum content focuses on cognition level;standardized test is the main evaluation tool;the evaluation result is used for reform and curriculum development.The second stage is 1980-2000 years,which is the conflict and transition of the preschool curriculum evaluation.During this time,the academic-oriented and development-oriented have always run through.Comparative study of the curriculum continues developing,adding the new content of "direct method"and "active learning".In addition,evaluation tools which are based on the curriculum begin to sprout.Generally speaking,preschool curriculum evaluation pays more attention to the development of children.The evaluation subjects are diversified,the evaluation process is standardized and scientific,and the evaluation tools are enriched.Authentic assessment lies in the core position.The third stage since 2000,is the period of multiple development of preschool curriculum evaluation.At this stage,standards and high quality are mainly hot topics.The recovery of standardized testing and Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research prompt people to reflect on the curriculum.The establishment and improvement of the all kinds of standards and curriculum evaluation information system adapt to the requirements of the times in twenty-first Century.Specifically,after twenty-first Century,the main topic of curriculum evaluation in America is school readiness.Evaluation based on standard and evidence of preschool curriculum is improved.The wide application of information has responded to the request of big data era.To sum up,throughout the development process of American preschool curriculum evaluation,it is found that curriculum evaluation has external power to promote the progress of curriculum evaluation purpose,content,evaluation tool,evaluation implementation and evaluation process.Looking back on the United States and reviewing our country,this study puts forward suggestions from three dimensions:the evaluation subjects,the implementation of evaluation and the interpretation of evaluation results,which contribute to the development of preschool curriculum evaluation in China.