In today¿s climate of increased accountability and diversity, alternative assessments for young children are more important than ever. That¿s why the timely NEW edition of this bestselling textbook is a must for all educators as they prepare to work with children who are culturally, linguistically, or developmentally diverse. Developed by top authorities in early childhood special education and widely adopted since its first edition was published in 2001, this introductory text has been carefully updated to reflect 10 years of evolution in demographics, research, technology, and legislation. Pre- and in-service educators of children birth¿8 years will learn about and explore the advantages of six popular alternative assessment methods: naturalistic, focused, performance, portfolio, dynamic, and curriculum-based language; effectively link assessment with intervention; get clear and specific guidelines for before, during, and after assessment; see assessment methods in action with vivid vignettes of children with diverse needs; and more. Grounded in the most current research and best practices, this essential new edition will help pre- and in-service educators capture the full picture of all young children¿s strengths and needs and provide them with appropriate, individualized instruction.