Testing in Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten student tests
Students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) PreK: Family and Early Childhood Education Program (FECEP)/Head Start classes are assessed to monitor their early skill development. Required tests for FCPS PreK: FECEP/Head Start students are listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by test name.
| Test Name | Requirement Source | Content Tested | Purpose of Test | Time Needed* | Schedule** | Results Distribution |
| Devereux Childhood Assessment (DECA) |
Federal and State |
Social-Emotional Skills | To measure development of social-emotional skills | Approx. 30 minutes total |
Oct. 7 to Oct. 18 April 27 to May 8 OR within 45 days of enrollment |
Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians |
| Drawing/Writing Assessment |
Division ONLY for students who will not transition to kindergarten in the next school year |
Literacy, Writing | To measure development of early literacy and writing skills | Approx. 15 minutes total |
Oct. 15 to Nov. 8 April 27 to May 22 |
Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians |
| Early Childhood Rubric | Division | Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical and Social-Emotional Development, Approaches to Learning | To measure development across a broad range of skills | Approx. 30 minutes total |
Dec. 16 to Jan. 29 Mar. 9 to April 14 May 11 to June 9 |
Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians |
| Early Screening Inventory—Revised (ESI-R) |
Federal and State ONLY for students without an individualized education program (IEP) |
Speech, Language, Cognition, Perception, Motor Coordination | To identify gaps in foundational skills and identify students who may be in need of additional supports | Approx. 30 minutes total |
Sept. 10 to Oct. 25 OR within 45 days of enrollment |
Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians |
| Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening PreK (PreK PALS) |
State ONLY for students who will transition to kindergarten in the next school year |
Phonological Awareness, Literacy | To identify gaps in foundational literacy skills and measure progress | Approx. 30 minutes total |
Oct. 15 to Nov. 8 April 27 to May 22 |
Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians |
* The amount of time needed for testing varies by student. All times are estimates.
** Schedule dates represent the window of time during which tests may be given. Each school sets and communicates the specific date for each test.