Live Interactive Chat

Answers to Questions (Transcript)

May 22 , 2002

Using Work Sampling in Pre-K Settings

Sallee J. Beneke, M.Ed.
Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, Illinois

IELmoderator
Greetings, IEL Chat participants. Welcome to our IEL Chat on "Using Work Sampling in Pre-K Settings." To get started, let me introduce our guest speaker, Sallee Beneke from Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Illinois.

Sallee Beneke
Hi. I'm glad to be here this evening. I believe that Work Sampling is a great way to learn more about children and about your own teaching. I'm looking forward to discussing it with you this evening.

Work Sampling provides a useful system for implementing ongoing, authentic assessment in the pre-kindergarten classroom. This system is made up of three complementary elements: checklists and guidelines, portfolios, and summary reports. Progress and performance are assessed in seven domains: (1) personal and social, (2) language and literacy, (3) mathematical thinking, (4) scientific thinking, (5) social studies, (6) the arts, and (7) physical development.

IELmoderator
The procedure for the live Chat session is as follows. Participants can send questions to the Chat guest at any time. When you send your question, please note that it will not be visible to all Chat participants. The IEL Moderator receives the question first and will notify the questioner that the question was received. Then, at the next break in the discussion, the question will be posted for all to see and for Ms. Beneke to answer.

Note that there will be a pause after a question is posted while Ms. Beneke composes her answer to the question. During these pauses, the Moderator will post occasional information about the IEL Web site.

Questions will be posted in the order they're received, unless there's some obvious reason to group similar questions together. Participants may send follow-up questions. If your question is not answered by the time the Chat session ends at 8 pm, the question and its answer will be included in the Chat transcript that will be made available online approximately 2 weeks from today.

IELmoderator
After all that procedural information, let's begin our Chat. Ms. Beneke, we have a question that we received in advance of the session.

Is Work Sampling compatible with the use of the Illinois Early Learning Standards?

Sallee Beneke
Definitely! The Work Sampling System was one of the resources used in developing the benchmarks for the Illinois Early Learning Standards, and in 2002-2003, many classrooms in Illinois will pilot a version of the Work Sampling System called Work Sampling Illinois. This Illinois version was specifically tailored to ensure compatibility with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question that we received at the Web site: Do teachers use set guidelines for Work Sampling so that it is consistent in assessing all students?

Sallee Beneke
The Omnibus Guidelines and the Developmental Guidelines provide a standard for evaluating observations of children's development. When teachers use this book as a reference in determining their ratings, there is great consistency. The Omnibus provides a picture of development on each item on the checklist across a six-year span, while the Developmental Guidelines provides a picture of each item on the checklist for one age or grade level. Both versions give examples of typical ways that children might demonstrate their ability in the course of everyday classroom activities.

Candy
Are other states, like Indiana, trying anything like this?

Sallee Beneke
Although I don't have specific information about Indiana, I am aware that people from all across the United States and even Europe are using Work Sampling.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question that we received. How does Work Sampling provide a better assessment of a student's progress than do traditional reports?

Sallee Beneke
Work Sampling allows the teacher to assess the child in the natural everyday setting of the classroom, rather than in an unfamiliar testing situation. The child is assessed based on many observations that are collected on an ongoing basis, rather than on a one-shot test. The portfolio component of the system supports the teacher in thinking about "how" the child learns as well as what he or she knows and can do. Teachers who use this system take into account both the checklist and the portfolio when they summarize the child's progress and performance three times per year.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's a question we received from Jean: What might teachers tell the children (their students) about Work Sampling in the classroom? Do students like to become involved in the sampling, or are they allowed to?

Sallee Beneke
I have been amazed at the ability of young children to appreciate Work Sampling. In our classroom, each child has a box where he or she places pieces that the child thinks is his or her best work. Once the children have an idea of what we're looking for, many of them bring samples to our attention.

EDR
Can you give us a little background about the Work Sampling System? Where did it come from? How does it work, exactly?

Sallee Beneke
The Work Sampling System was developed by Dr. Sam Meisels and his colleagues at the University of Michigan. They piloted this program in the early 1990s.

The Work Sampling System has three major components: the Checklist and Developmental Guidelines, the Portfolio, and the Summary Report. The teacher observes each child in the classroom on an ongoing basis and periodically assesses each child on the checklist, using the developmental guidelines as her guide. She collects samples of each child's work that represents preselected areas of learning. She reviews these two components and then writes a narrative that describes the child's development on the summary report.

IELmoderator
Long-awaited Illinois Early Learning Standards, prepared by the Illinois State Board of Education's Early Childhood Division, are now available on the IEL Web site. The standards relate to the learning areas of: (1) Language Arts, (2) Mathematics, (3) Science, (4) Social Science, (5) Physical Development and Health, (6) Fine Arts, (7) Foreign Languages, and (8) Social/Emotional Development. You can find the standards at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards/ or you may view the standards as a PDF file at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards/ielstandards-mar02.pdf.

IELmoderator
A recent Tip Sheet in Spanish, "¡Se está burlando de mí!" is available on the IEL Web site. This "Página de consejos" is a translation of the English Tip Sheet, "He's Teasing Me!" The Tip Sheet helps parents understand teasing so they can know when to let it go and when to step in and say "Enough!"

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question from Jean: In your experience, what have been some parental responses to Work Sampling?

Sallee Beneke
In my experience, parental response has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents feel as if the teacher really knows their child when they read the description in the narrative and see the samples of work that have been collected.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question we received in advance of the Chat session: Is a Work Sampling assessment more subjective than the use of tests?

Sallee Beneke
A study of 345 K-3 students in 17 classrooms found teacher judgment on the Work Sampling System to be valid when compared with the results of an individually administered standardized assessment, the Woodcock Johnson. For more information on the Pittsburgh Work Sampling Achievement Validation Study, see http://www.ciera.org/library/archive/2001-09/2001-09.htm. It would seem to me that the Work Sampling System would be even more effective with young children, since their desire and ability to take part in a test is more likely to vary from day to day, if not from moment to moment.

IELmoderator
A new English Tip Sheet was uploaded to the IEL Web site just this afternoon. "Helping Children Develop Impulse Control" offers tips on helping children learn how and when to show their emotions. This Tip Sheet is available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/impulsecontrol.htm.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's a final question from Jean: I rather like parent-teacher conferences that last longer than 15 minutes -- Does use of Work Sampling usually involve longer conferences?

Sallee Beneke
In my experience, these conferences have been longer than 15 minutes, but then we have the luxury of spending more time at our center. I think the teacher can probably share the information that she has with parents in that length of time, but often parents want to chat. As a parent, I can relate!

IELmoderator
Chat participants, you may send questions at any time. And remember that you may send a question at any time to the IEL staff. Just email your question to iel@uiuc.edu or call us at (877) 275-3227 between 8-12 and 1-5 on business days.

Gail
Can you tell us something about the WSS-IL (Work Sampling System Illinois) pilot program?

Sallee Beneke
Yes. Teachers in public school pre-kindergarten at-risk programs, child care centers, and Head Start have been invited to awareness sessions that are being offered around the state to answer teacher's questions about the WSS IL pilot programs. If a teacher is interested in piloting WSS IL, I believe that training will be provided at the appropriate level. Both beginners and experts are welcome. I will have more information on this posted to the transcript of this Chat session.

Gail
Thanks Sallee... I teach in a public school state pre-K at-risk program. We have several teachers who implement various components of the Work Sampling System. Should we go for the pilot program. I have had the three-day training in Ann Arbor (1998) and other teachers have no experience at all.

Sallee Beneke
If you're interested, I would encourage you to check it out. There's always more to learn.

EDR
Do we have any idea how many centers use Work Sampling in Illinois at this time?

Sallee Beneke
I don't know the answer to that question at this time. I will see what I can find out and add that information to the transcript, also.

DPhilipp
Ms. Beneke, I just joined the discussion. Are there any resources in print on this subject?

Sallee Beneke
Yes, Rebus publishes a very helpful Teacher's Manual that explains how to implement Work Sampling.

EDR
Is there a difference between keeping a portfolio of children's work and doing Work Sampling portfolios?

IELmoderator
While Ms. Beneke is preparing her answer to EDR's question, I'd like to note that IEL staff members give workshops and presentations on using the IEL Web site throughout the state. If you're interested in attending such a workshop, please see the schedule of workshops on IEL's "Workshop and Exhibit Schedule" page at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/workshops.htm or contact the IEL staff if you'd like to arrange for a workshop in your area.

Sallee Beneke
I remember my first attempt at keeping portfolios. I collected many, many items on each child. Then at the end of the semester, I went through them and couldn't remember what they were and why I had collected so many! There are two predetermined areas of learning for five domains that you collect in Work Sampling portfolios. There are three collection periods in a year. At the end of the year, the teacher ends up with six portfolio items for each of the domains.

DPhilipp
What kinds of things would be helpful to collect throughout the year? I collect drawings, handwriting of their name, self-portraits, etc.

Sallee Beneke
Those sound like good things to collect. The kinds of things to avoid are those that are very content-specific, so that they only happen at limited times during the year. Things that happen continuously over the course of the year allow you to develop a clearer picture of the child's growth. It's also important to collect on an area of learning that will fit all children, including children with special needs.

Mowger
I provide day care 24/7, and it is very difficult to attend many of the training sessions made available in my near area. The norm being approximately one-hour travel time to attend training. My question is: Can we expect more online programs, such as this, on a regular basis?

IELmoderator
While Ms. Beneke is preparing an answer to Mowger's question with regard to Work Sampling, I should note that IEL has two additional live Chat sessions scheduled over the next month. Now that the new Illinois Early Learning Standards are online, please join us for a discussion on "Integrating the Illinois Early Learning Standards and Performance Assessment" with Barbara Grace, Director of Southern Region Early Childhood Programs. This live Chat will be held on Wednesday, June 5, from 7 to 8 pm CDT.

Sallee Beneke
Wow! You are a very busy person! I commend you for your interest in learning more about assessing children's learning.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question: Does Work Sampling include any evaluation besides the use of the portfolio?

IELmoderator
Following up on the last message about online activities, the second of IEL's future scheduled Chats is on the important topic of "Father/Male Involvement in Early Childhood" with Brent A. McBride. Dr. McBride is an Associate Professor of Human Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is the Director of the Child Development Laboratory at the University. This Chat will be held on Monday, June 17, at the usual time of 7 to 8 pm CDT.

Sallee Beneke
Yes. There is a checklist that is meant to be used as a teacher tool. It is used in conjunction with a set of developmental guidelines. It is used on an ongoing basis, and the teacher refers to it along with the portfolio when she completes the summary report.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's the next question: With what age children is Work Sampling developmentally appropriate?

Sallee Beneke
Work Sampling materials cover children age 3 through children in the fifth grade.

DPhilipp
Weekly Reader has included in its materials for teachers some "listening tests" that look like worksheets. Are these helpful to preschoolers and teachers or not?

Sallee Beneke
I'm not familiar with those. Can you give me a little more information about these? One of the great things about Work Sampling is that it takes place in the natural course of the child's everyday activities. It is curriculum-embedded.

DPhilipp
One of these "tests" was matching the picture on the left with one of three choices on the right side of the page. This was to test pre-reading skills.

Sallee Beneke
I will have to see if I can get a copy. The child's performance on this task might reveal more about his prior experience with worksheets than what he knows about reading.

IELmoderator
The transcript of the previous IEL Live Chat session from April 29, 2002, on "Supporting Children's Social Development: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers," with Dr. Lilian Katz, is now available in the Live Chat section of the IEL Web site. The English transcript is available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat/katz/trans.htm and the Spanish translation of the transcript is available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat/katz/trans-sp.html.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question: Do teachers require extensive training to be able to use Work Sampling effectively?

Sallee Beneke
The Teacher's Manual for the Work Sampling System provides very thorough directions and examples, but it is much easier for a teacher to get started with the system if she has training from someone with experience. Ongoing support is very helpful.

EDR
What about the effectiveness of worksheets in general? The teachers I work with say that the parents like to see them, and that's why they use them.

Sallee Beneke
I'm not a big fan of worksheets. Portfolio items that are collected from the child's activities reveal more about "how" the child tends to work, as well as what he knows and can do.

DPhilipp
I'm not a fan of worksheets either, I actually work to avoid them.

Mowger
Is Work Sampling a replacement of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence?

Sallee Beneke
No. This assessment is meant to inform teacher's teaching. It reveals information on what the child is beginning to know, as well as what he has already mastered. It also includes the personal-social domain.

EDR
Doesn't the Illinois Resource Center offer training in Work Sampling around the state? On the Illinois Early Learning Web Site calendar, you can find several trainings around Work Sampling, I think.

Sallee Beneke
Yes. Thanks for bringing that up! These workshops are offered year-round. I believe that Barb Grace will be hosting a future Chat, and she will be answering questions about the Illinois Early Learning Standards and WSS-IL (Work Sampling System Illinois).

IELmoderator
By the way, the URL for the IEL calendar is as follows: http://ecap-webserver.crc.uiuc.edu/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.cgi?calendar=IEL. The IEL calendar is searchable by month, by region in the state, and by primary audience.

IELmoderator
Ms. Beneke, here's another question: I get the impression that the Work Sampling System can take a lot of a teacher's time. Have you any suggestions for how best to use it and make the best of the time available? Any shortcuts would be welcome.

Sallee Beneke
The Work Sampling System can be time-consuming, especially when you are first getting started. However, most teachers find that it's worth the time and effort, because the assessment provides so much information to guide their teaching. Planning an efficient system to collect, sort, and store observations is probably the biggest time-saver.

For example, some teachers keep pads of Post-it notes in "teacher places" all around their classrooms. After they jot down a note and date it, they tear the sheet off of the front of the pad and stick it onto the back. At the end of the day, they can take the individual sheets and sort them into each child's file, deciding which notes are worth saving and elaborating on and which should be discarded.

Another teacher runs off a sheet of address labels with the child's name and date printed on each label. She carries a sheet of labels for each child in her class on a clipboard, records observations on the labels, and then sorts the labels into each child's file at the end of the day. Matrices are another handy way that teachers can quickly note observations of children's ability. Each teacher has to find a system or combination of systems that suits her style and situation, and this usually requires some experimentation and patience.

IELmoderator
We have time for a couple of more questions from participants. And remember that you may send a question at any time to the IEL staff. Just email your question to iel@uiuc.edu or call us at (877) 275-3227 between 8-12 and 1-5 on business days.

IELmoderator
Chat participants, do we have any more questions?

Mowger
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for this informative session and I look forward to participating in any and all future sessions. I find that a program which allows a thorough evaluation of the child in a setting without the child feeling "tested" is appropriate.

IELmoderator
OK, if we have no more questions, we'll bring our Chat session to an end. Sallee Beneke, thanks very much for being a guest in our IEL Chat series.

Sallee Beneke
Thanks for joining me this evening. I really enjoyed being here.

IELmoderator
Thanks to all the Chat participants for your good questions and for your patience. Please join us for our next Chat session on June 5. And thanks, Sallee Beneke, for sharing your time and experience with us. Thanks again, all, and have a good night.

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