The Changing Face of Early Childhood Assessment: DIAL-3

Authors

  • Carol Mardell-Czudnowski
  • Dorothea S. Goldenberg

Abstract

The ongoing development of accurate early childhood assessment measures to identify preschool children with significant developmental delay is a critical factor in the challenge to meet national standards for educational goals. This paper briefly describes the rationale and development of a new screening test, Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning-3 (DIAL-3), which is based on two previous editions, DIAL and DIAL-R. Current empirical research is presented to document item additions and deletions as well as the continued maintenance of three performance areas: Motor, Concepts and Language. Behavioral observations are also included. Parent involvement is attained by the inclusion of a scored parent questionnaire as a measure of self-help and social development. The two DIAL-3 formats, which now include a station format known to previous users and a shortened form called the Speed DIAL when the station format is not possible, are discussed along with a dual English/Spanish normed version, scoring options and technical adequacy.

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Section

Articles