Early childhood educators in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) are piloting Learning Stories, a child-centered assessment tool, in 10 preschool classrooms and one community-based Universal Pre-K (UPK) partner. The pilot, which began during the 2023-24 school year, uses narrative observation to give families and educators a richer view of a child’s learning journey.
“Learning Stories serve as a powerful tool to document children’s learning,” Deb Jordan, Associate Principal of Inclusion/CPSE Chair, said. “They help our young students revisit past learning and serve as a gateway to literacy, teaching children that learning can be warm, engaging, and relevant.”
Teachers use the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), a research-based assessment tool, to connect each Learning Story to specific goals that show student growth. As teachers document learning through stories, they link them to DRDP indicators and review them at the end of each rating period to ensure every area of development is captured. Teachers often post the stories in the classroom so children can see their progress, reflect on their learning, and take pride in their accomplishments.
Learning Stories originated in New Zealand and draws from indigenous traditions that value community, relationships, and the whole child. This approach strongly aligns with the ICSD’s commitment to honoring each child’s identity, strengths, and voice.
“The great thing about Learning Stories is that it is an opportunity to spot and highlight the learning that is always happening in a play-based preschool classroom,” Patricia Kroog-Erickson, pre-K special education teacher at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, said. “The learning is led by the child’s interest and gives scholars a chance to show their strengths in a way that is all their own. The smiles on their faces when they read a story all about them are so wonderful to see.”
Across the district, storytelling has become an act of listening and connection. Teachers listen to children. Children listen to one another. Through these stories, understanding deepens, empathy grows, and classroom communities thrive.
“I am excited about Learning Stories because it allows the classroom team to tell about each child’s growth and school success through narrative and pictures, focusing on their strengths,” Sarah Smith, pre-K teacher at Fall Creek Elementary, said. “All children shine in their own beautiful Learning Story.”
Visit our website to learn more about the ICSD Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten Program.
