INTRODUCTION TO THE GOLD PRESCHOOL

Target Audience: Preschool staff that will be tasked with providing or overseeing the GOLD Assessment within their school or classroom.

This 6-hour session brings assessment to life by framing it as an active, ongoing process that drives instructional decisions. Grounded in the formative assessment cycle—Observe and Collect Facts, Analyze and Respond, Evaluate and Summarize, Plan, and Communicate—this interactive session helps educators see assessment not as a task to complete, but as a powerful tool to guide everyday teaching.

Participants actively explore the distinction between formative practices (using preliminary levels to inform daily instruction) and summative practices (checkpoints that support reporting and communication). Through guided reflection and real-world application, educators deepen their understanding of how assessment and curriculum work together—reinforcing GOLD® as an authentic, observation-based, curriculum-embedded resource rather than a stand-alone requirement.

Through hands-on navigation within SmartTeach®, including focused use of the Assess area and connected resources, educators practice using the tools in ways that increase clarity, confidence, and efficiency. Throughout the training, participants engage in discussion, application, and practical planning—leaving with concrete strategies they can immediately implement to support meaningful instructional decision-making.

Date: December 4, 2026

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location: ESC of Lorain County

Presenter: Christine Britton (OCCRRA approved)

Contact Hours: 6

Event Fee: $75