This format and layout are completely developmentally inappropriate for early childhood education students. I watched time and time again students who were attempting to answer questions correctly but couldn't because they were trying to drag images, words, or numbers. The idea of having to click it just the 'right way' so it is highlighted with a dotted box around it, and then click where to put it is insane. Further, when students were attempting to formulate sight words or sentences, some were trying to put them in order but because they weren't clicking on the exact correct spot on the line- it was all wrong. Additionally, when students were clicking on answer options to listen to them, the system would then check the answer off as if the student was choosing it for their response. When in fact, they were just trying to listen to the choices.

As an educator of Kindergarteners, it disheartens me that schools and districts hold any data extracted from this assessment as anything other than a luck of the draw or measly measurement of a student's technological abilities.

If NWEA is passionate and dedicated to creating an assessment that can provide an accurate representation of ALL students, then they need to enlist the assistance of an early childhood educator who would be able to ensure the developmental appropriateness of the formatting and directions of these assessments. They need to be tested with real young children, a practice that may have prevented the assessment from being published as it is. The format, visuals, and directions are NOT child-friendly. I would like to be able to assess my students accurately, something I would hope most teachers agree with.

Clearly, the creators of this assessment had older children in mind. Which is completely fine! However, do not label it as an appropriate tool to measure a Kindergarten class. Because it is NOT.