# Introducing AEPS®-3 A Look at the Changes and Updates

## Objectives

- Get a refresher on the AEPS-3 linked system
- Discover exciting updates to AEPS-3
- See samples of AEPS-3 Test and AEPS-3 Curriculum
- Learn about the research studies supporting the new third edition

## AEPS-3 Linked System

AEPS®-3 is a comprehensive, reliable, linked system that seamlessly ties together assessment, goal/outcome development, teaching/intervention, and progress monitoring for infants and young children from birth to 6 years with and without disabilities.

### Family Participation

- Assessment
- Goal/Outcome Development
- Teaching/ Intervention
- Progress Monitoring

### Professional Participation

AEPS®-3 is a registered trademark of and aeps3 is owned by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. ©2021 All rights reserved.

## How AEPS-3 Helps

- Collect **reliable, useful assessment data**
- Link **assessment data to a tiered curriculum**
- Track and support **emerging skills**
- Strengthen children’s **preacademic skills**
- Check for **school readiness**
- **Actively involve families** with handouts, forms, and reports

## Foundation of AEPS

- Observational assessment
- Criterion included for each item
- 3-point scoring
- Families are integral to the process
- Useful for child outcomes reporting to OSEP
- Aligned with national and state standards
- Backed by extensive research

## Updates to AEPS-3

### Featured Updates

- One **seamless system** for birth to six years
- Improved **test items**
- Two **new test areas**—Literacy and Math
- Enhanced **family materials**
- **Ready-Set**—a shorter measure focused on school readiness skills
- **Multi-tiered curriculum** organized around routines and activities

## AEPS-3 Test

- Now one continuous assessment for birth to six years
- No need to use two forms
- Can see clearly the full range of a child’s skills
- Makes it easier to share results between programs (e.g., Part C and Part B 619) or classrooms (e.g., 2s to 3s)

## 8 Test Areas, 407 Items, 0 to 6 years

- **Fine Motor** (31 items in 4 strands)
- **Gross Motor** (65 items in 3 strands)
- **Adaptive** (53 items in 4 strands)
- **Social-Emotional** (61 items in 5 strands)
- **Social-Communication** (49 items in 4 strands)
- **Cognitive** (50 items in 5 strands)
- **Literacy** (57 items in 5 strands)
- **Math** (41 items in 4 strands)

## Qualified Scoring

- Qualified scoring for emerging skills (“1”) to indicate if incomplete or done with assistance
- 1A = Assistance, 1I = Incomplete, 1AI = Assistance/Incomplete
- Helps provide more information about the child’s skill level and what to do next

| Score Key |  |  | Note Key |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mastery performance 2 | Emerging performance 1A = Assistance 1I = Incomplete 1AI = Assistance/Incomplete | No performance 0 | C = Conduct M = Modification Q = Quality R = Report |

## Assessment Activities

- Assessment activities help providers efficiently use observation to complete the AEPS-3 Test for up to 5 children at once
- 10 center-based activities
- 10 home-based activities

### Center-Based Assessment Activity: Blanket Play

**Description**: This is an assessment activity, the child is on the floor or ground in a safe environment. The activity encourages positive interactions between adult and the child, and also helps to develop the child's social skills. The blanket play allows the child to explore different textures and materials, which can help them develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

**Suggested Materials**:
- Blanket Play mat (for adult use)
- Soft blankets
- Small toys (e.g., blocks, balls)

## New Family Handouts

### What Is aeps3?

The third edition of the present Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for children and families. The curriculum is programmed to help build on the skills and knowledge of early childhood educators. APS3 uses a computer-based assessment system that assesses the child's development in areas such as social skills, language, math, science, and more.

### AEPS-3 Curriculum

- Guided by multi-tiered systems of support, blended practices, and activity-based intervention frameworks
- 3 levels: **Beginning** (birth to 18 months), **Growing** (18 months to 3 years), **Ready** (3 to 6 years)
- Organized by routines and activities, which fits well with the structure of classrooms and homes.

## AEPSi

- AEPSi will be better than ever, too!
- Completely redesigned AEPSi interface
- Mobile-optimized for phones and tablets
- Family login for AEPS-3 family reporting

## Research Studies

### AEPS-3 Content Validity Study

- Conducted 2012—2015
- Expert review of test items in 8 areas; 4-5 experts per area
- Content changes and reordering of test items followed review

### AEPS-3 Field Test

- Utility study
- 11 providers from two sites in Kentucky and Oregon

In Summary
- The field test studies supported the belief that AEPS-3 provides useful information about young children’s development and is useful in making a variety of teaching and intervention decisions.