The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System (formerly known as C-PALLS+), is a user-friendly, technology-driven tool that enables a teacher to quickly assess a child’s progress in a particular skill area. This simple yet reliable data collection prompts teachers to focus on lessons that target their students’ least developed skills.
The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System:
- is on the 2017-2021 Commissioner’s List of Approved Prekindergarten Progress Monitoring Instruments
- is available at no cost to Texas public prekindergarten teachers and programs eligible for the TSR Online program
- provides significant flexibility in administration, including choice of measures and timing of assessments
- provides links to CIRCLE activities that target specific skills based on assessment results
- includes a wide range of reporting features instantly accessible
- demonstrated high reliability and validity in multiple research studies
Reporting Features
We recognize that data reports should be easily accessible, quickly digestible, and provide multiple perspectives. The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System’s reporting features provide snapshots of student skill levels at the individual, group, class, school, and even district levels. The reports use clear visual indicators to flag students below established benchmarks. Finally, student grouping features and links to recommended activities automatically provide the teacher with the first steps in beginning small group instruction that targets specific skill areas.
Family Observation Forms
Families are valuable sources of information on children’s skill development. These forms align with the learning domains of the CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System and can be used in children’s portfolios to provide a full picture of children’s development. Download family forms here.
Direct Assessments
Rapid Letter Naming
Evaluates ability to name letters within a timed format (60 seconds of stimulus).
Letter-Sound Correspondence
Students are given 12 letters and asked to make their corresponding sounds.
Phonological Awareness
Evaluates a student's ability to detect and manipulate sounds in spoken language across 7 sub-measures.
Rapid Vocabulary
Students provide names for images within a timed format (60 seconds of stimulus). Each wave of administration includes a different set of items (55 images per set).
Mathematics
Evaluates counting skills, shape naming and discrimination, operations, and number identification. Optional measures include patterning and measurement.
Science
Measures four core ideas in the National Research Council’s framework for science education: physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering and technology.
Story Retell & Comprehension
Measures ability to create a narrative using elements such as character, setting, emotion, transition phrases, and an ending. Followed by 3 comprehension questions.
Social Studies
Measures social studies topics addressed in the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines: self, family, and community; people and the environment; and history and events.
Book & Print Awareness
Measures students' understanding of how print and books function. Teachers use text of their choice.
Observation-Based Assessments
Social & Emotional Development
Captures skill in: positive social behaviors, classroom community and safety, emotional and behavior regulation, self-care, attention, and approaches to learning.
Physical Health & Development
Includes 12 items that capture developmental progress in three categories: fine and visual motor skills, gross motor skills, and understanding healthy behaviors (e.g. hygiene).
Early Writing
Captures ability to: write letter-like forms or real letters; understand that writing moves from left to right; engage in writing activities within centers; and write in response to literature.
Speech Production & Sentence Skills
Captures ability to vocalize, pronounce, and discriminate among sounds of the alphabet and words, as well as use of grammar to convey meaning.
Motivation to Read
Observation of a student’s interest and enthusiasm for books and reading.
Approaches to Learning
Captures student initiative and curiosity, flexibility, and art and creativity.
Research Support
The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System is a standardized, criterion-referenced measure that relates well to established standardized tests and is sensitive to growth in children’s skills over time. The data used to support the reliability and validity of the CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System came from numerous research studies conducted by the Children’s Learning Institute over a five-year span. These research studies were primarily conducted in preschools and child care centers in Texas, Maryland, Ohio, and Florida. For detailed information about its reliability and validity, please refer to the CIRCLE Progress Monitoring Technical Manual, available upon request.