Ohio's Early Learning Assessment

collage photograph of young children doing classroom activities

The Early Learning Assessment is designed to aid teachers in determining where children are in their readiness for kindergarten. The Early Learning Assessment will provide information for teachers about children from early preschool to kindergarten.

All programs who serve preschool-age children will have the opportunity to use the Early Learning Assessment to improve and support the growth and development of children.

Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (birth to kindergarten entry) are the basis for the Early Learning Assessment.  The assessment focuses on seven areas of a child’s growth and development:

  • Social Foundations (including social and emotional development, and approaches toward learning)
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Language and Literacy
  • Physical Well-being and Motor Development
  • Fine Arts
Ohio’s Early Learning Assessment (ELA) is directly aligned to Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and is required to be used for assessment and progress-monitoring twice annually for Preschool Special Education (PSE) and Early Childhood Education (ECE) grant funded children. 

ASSESSMENT WINDOWS​

There are four assessment windows for each school year: 

Fall: Aug 15 - Nov 14
Required for reporting
Winter: Nov 15 - Feb 14
Ongoing for best practice
Spring: Feb 15 - May 14
Required for reporting
Summer: May 15 - Aug 14
Ongoing for best practice

Each school year, programs that receive ECE or PSE funding must report assessment ratings during the fall and spring windows. Programs are encouraged to use the assessment during the winter and summer windows. 

Learn More About Ohio's Early Learning Assessment

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Last Modified: 8/13/2024 10:12:41 AM