The Early Childhood Assessment System (ECAS) should....

• Honor the belief that all children have value, can learn with appropriate supports, and can be expected to make measurable gains.

• Reflect high expectations for attaining independence across environments.

• Promote an inclusive educational system in which all children are provided with access to educational programs and facilities.

• Promote a coordinated team approach to the delivery of an educational system that will enable the child and family to live, learn, and play across environments.

• Be used to improve the content and quality of education.

• Clearly reflect an accurate picture of the child’s growth and development and be relevant to the child’s education.

• Reflect shared responsibility of the family, school and community for the accomplishments of all children within accountability systems.

• Provide meaningful assessment results that are easily communicated and understood by all individuals who influence the child’s development.

• Include continuous documentation of the child’s progress based on performance from multiple sources, environments, and developmental areas.