Authentic Assessment for Early Childhood Intervention ─ Best Practices

Stephen J. Bagnato, EdD, is a developmental school psychologist and Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Bagnato is a core faculty member for Developmental Psychology Interdisciplinary Training at the UCLID Center at the University of Pittsburgh, a Maternal and Child Health Bureau leadership education institute in neurodevelopmental disabilities, and is Director of Early Childhood Partnerships (ECP) at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In over 30 years of research, Dr. Bagnato has specialized in authentic curriculum-based assessment and program evaluation research strategies for young children at developmental risk and with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and has authored over 120 research and applied publications. He has received numerous professional research awards from the National Brain Injury Research Association and the American Psychological Association (Division 16) and was the 2001 recipient of the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award for his activities in ECP. Dr. Bagnato provides consultation and training to state agencies in early childhood intervention "best practices," challenging and atypical behaviors, authentic assessment in early childhood, and authentic program outcome evaluation research.