Kindergarten Entry Profile

The Kindergarten Entry Profile (KEP) includes comprehensive assessment tools which districts choose based on the needs of their students and teachers. These tools provide real-time data to help districts in their planning and practice. Each of the tools below are aligned to the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIP) and the Kindergarten Academic Standards. Each tool publisher also offers assessment versions designed for early learning programs.

Kindergarten Entry Profile Information

Since 2014, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has been working to revise, expand and improve the School Readiness Study, which measures children’s status at
kindergarten entry.
Click here for the KEP page on the MDE website

Background

With no systematic process in place to assess children’s school readiness, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in 2002 initiated a series of three yearly studies focused on obtaining a picture of the school readiness of Minnesota’s kindergartners. The studies were well-received by the public, and during the 2006 Minnesota state legislative session, funding was appropriated for the study to be continued on an annual basis (School Readiness Report, 2010).

Since 2006, the School Readiness Study has gathered data from a voluntary 10 percent sample of schools using the Minnesota adapted version of the Work Sampling System. Based on feedback from administrators and teachers, the study was revised to provide districts with a choice of tools that are developmentally appropriate and align to the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) and the Minnesota Academic Standards for kindergarten and allow for teachers and administrators to use real time data to inform practice and program planning. This new process is called the Kindergarten Entry Profile.

Below are resources for kindergarten entry assessments:

A Report of the National Research Council, "Early Childhood Assessment: Why, What, and How?"

A Position Paper of the Early Childhood Education State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards, "Moving Forward With Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Efforts"

Register for the KEP

Participation in the KEP is voluntary. If your school or district is interested in participating, go to the KEP page on the MDE website

KEP Assessment Tools

The tools listed in the KEP menu have been tested for their evidence of validity and reliability as well as alignment to the ECIPs and Minnesota Academic Standards. The menu of tools listed below is those that had the best ratings among the top 20 tools tested for the KEP. For more information regarding assessment options for early learning settings as part of the KEP menu, please email su.nm.etats|pek.edm#su.nm.etats|pek.edm.

Certified Assessment Trainers

Many individuals come together to provide early education and care opportunities for young children in Minnesota. If you work with young children and are eager to grow your knowledge and skills related to curriculum and assessment, there are trainers ready to team with you to benefit Minnesota’s children. Through a Train the Trainer model, MDE has developed a cadre of statewide certified assessment trainers to deliver training on the tool of choice. Some practitioners have specific requirements such as having a Trainer and Course approved through Develop.

Click here to access the drop down menu of statewide trainers available for all KEP-approved tools and more.

Resources for Current KEP Participants

What Does the KEP Mean for World's Best Workforce Reporting?

World’s Best Workforce legislation requires all districts to plan for five overarching goals in measuring student performance. The first goal is that “all children are ready for school”. The tools in the Kindergarten Entry Profile (KEP) provide a way to measure progress toward this goal and link early learning and kindergarten programs using data that relates to the standards. Click here for More information on the World's Best Workforce.