Hughes and Gullo begin their article by painting a picture of rising kindergarten enrollment. More and more three- and four-year-olds are enrolled in preschool preparation programs, such as pre-k or More at Four. They also point to the sharp increase in state-mandated age limits for kindergarten enrollment. These changes are both illustrative of how kindergarten academic standards have increased significantly in recent years. Hughes and Gullo tell us that kindergarten children today are taught primarily through academically oriented, teacher-directed instruction rather than developmentally appropriate learning methods. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay They explain that these dramatic changes in the way kindergarten children are taught are believed to be due to inappropriate assessment tools used to evaluate the academic progress of kindergarten students. These developmentally inappropriate assessment tools, such as standardized tests and worksheets, can be exchanged for more appropriate means of assessment for kindergarten children. Hughes and Gullo use the rest of their article to explain the different characteristics of assessment and how we can adapt our means of assessment to promote individual development among preschool children. Hughes and Gullo define assessment to further expand our understanding of the problem: "the progress a child learns over time." Testing children at the end of a unit undermines this definition of assessment. The authors tell us that learning is a continuum and that assessment should be used to help teachers identify children's individual position on that learning continuum. This can be done by learning and recognizing children's learning patterns and using frequent “embedded” assessments to assess their mastery of classroom concepts. The authors of the article go on to tell us that assessment is a comprehensive process: a simple test or type of assessment will not measure the many areas of learning that must be measured to determine understanding. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In the final section of the article, Hughes and Gullo tell us that evaluation should be integrated into the process of activities being evaluated. This way, teachers can use assessment to modify lessons to fit children's individual needs, and teachers can see firsthand how effective or ineffective their curriculum is. Hughes and Gullo provide the example of a teacher who uses assessment to plan activities based on his students' interests, experiences, and skills. Hughes and Gullo conclude their article with a powerful statement: Adequate assessment can lead to joyful learning and teaching..