Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which of the following assessment strategies would provide a kindergarten teacher with the most comprehensive information about a student's oral language development?

1. Observing the student during conversations with peers

2. Asking the student several questions that require yes or no responses

3. Listening to the student recite the alphabet

4. Having the student read a list of sight words aloud

The correct answer is: Observing the student during conversations with peers

Choosing to observe the student during conversations with peers offers the most comprehensive insight into a student's oral language development because it allows the teacher to assess various aspects of language use in a naturalistic setting. Through observation, the teacher can evaluate the student’s ability to articulate thoughts, use vocabulary appropriately, engage in turn-taking, understand and apply conversational norms, and negotiate meanings during peer interactions. This context provides rich insights into spontaneous language use, social communication skills, and the ability to adapt language to different contexts and audiences. In contrast, asking yes or no questions may limit the student's opportunities for expressive language and does not effectively measure their ability to construct sentences or use advanced language structures. Listening to a student recite the alphabet assesses knowledge of letter names rather than the richness of oral language skills. Having the student read sight words aloud primarily evaluates decoding abilities and sight recognition rather than an understanding of language in context or conversational skills. Therefore, peer conversations provide a holistic picture of a child's developing oral language.