GACE Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education assessment, offered as part of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, is divided into two tests.

The first test consists of 60 selected-response questions (80% of the test score) and 2 constructed-response assignments (20% of the test score). The content areas covered by the first test are reading, English language arts, and social studies. The topics covered by the reading and English language arts subarea are: print and phonological awareness; word identification strategies, including phonics; vocabulary knowledge; reading fluency and comprehension; comprehension strategies for literary and informational texts throughout the curriculum; the skills and strategies involved in writing for diverse purposes across the curriculum; the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics; and the skills and strategies involved in speaking, listening, and viewing throughout the curriculum. The topics covered by the social studies subarea are: the important events, concepts, and methods of inquiry related to Georgia, U.S., and world history; and the major concepts, principles, and methods of inquiry applied to geography, U.S. government, civics, economics.

The second test consists of 60 selected-response questions (80% of the test score) and 2 constructed-response questions (20% of the test score). The content areas covered by the second test are mathematics, science, health, physical education, and the arts. The topics covered by the mathematics subarea are: the processes of problem-solving and mathematical exploration; the concepts and skills related to numbers, mathematical operations, and measurement; and algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The topics covered by the science subarea are: the characteristics and processes of science; and the concepts and principles of earth science, physical science, life science. The topics covered by the health, physical education, and the arts subarea are: the principles and practices related to health and safety; the basic physical education principles, practices, and activities; and the basic elements, concepts, and techniques related to the arts.

The examination must be completed within four hours. The total test score is placed on a scale of 100 to 300, with 220 as the lowest passing score. Scores are based on the number of selected-response questions answered correctly and the scores assigned by judges to the constructed responses. Test-takers will also receive performance indices indicating their success in each subarea of the examination. Scores will be available approximately a month after the date of the examination; unofficial results are posted on the internet, and an official score report is mailed to the test-taker, the Professional Standards Commission, and the institution specified by the test-taker during registration.

GACE Early Childhood Education Practice Questions

1. Which theory of early childhood education asserts that education should only support the ongoing growth of the child, without actively directing this growth?

A: interventionist
B: behaviorist
C: maturationist
D: constructivist

2. Which of the following is NOT a long-term consequence of early childhood education?

A: better success rates among low-income students
B: higher IQ
C: increased high school graduation rates
D: decreased crime

3. Who funds the Head Start program?

A: Department of Health and Human Services
B: local governments
C: Department of Education
D: National Association for Education of Young People

4. Which of the following activities is appropriate for a preschool?

A: memorizing poems
B: writing essays
C: reading stories independently
D: learning letter shapes

5. Which child education theorist emphasized a child's inherent tendency to learn?

A: Edward Thorndike
B: Jean Piaget
C: Maria Montessori
D: Lev Vygotsky

Answer Key

1. C. The maturationist theory assumes that genetics will spur development more than environmental factors.
2. B. Research suggests that gains in IQ during early childhood education are only temporary.
3. D. Head Start programs help low-income children prepare for formal schooling.
4. D. Preschoolers will not have the linguistic sophistication to accomplish the other tasks.
5. C. The Montessori method is still used in schools throughout the world.