The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are pleased to introduce Ohio’s new Early Learning Assessment (ELA). The ELA is the formative assessment component of Ohio’s comprehensive early childhood assessment system called Ready for Kindergarten.
As of fall 2016 and continuing for school year 2019-2020, only programs serving Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Preschool Special Education(PSE) programs are required to use the ELA. Programs must use the 10-Required Learning Progressions and report on funded children. Any program, including any Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) programs, may attend an ELA training and use the assessment following successful completion of the training. Teachers can use the ELA to improve children’s learning experiences and support their growth and development in an early childhood setting.
Detailed information for both ODE and ODJFS licensed programs can be found at http://education.ohio.gov/earlylearningassessment. The information includes implementation timelines, required and optional users, professional development requirements, technology updates and family resources.