Ohio Preschool Programs (OPP), formerly known as ECE Grantees, and Preschool Special Education (PSE) programs will have two options to meet the assessment requirement for the 2026-2027 school year. Programs will choose between the Early Learning Assessment (ELA) or the Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment. Programs must complete a fall and spring assessment for each funded child using one of the two approved tools. The requirement remains the same from the 2025-2026 school year.
Required assessment windows are:
- Fall: August 15 – November 14, 2026
- Spring: February 15 – May 14, 2027
Teacher Training (subhead) The updated Early Learning Assessment training will be available through the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) on Monday, August 24, 2026. Search DCY Early Learning Assessment (ELA) Essentials 2026 to access the training.
Teaching Strategies GOLD offers a variety of videos and trainings. Use GOLD Ready-Set-Go! Videos to learn more about GOLD. If you have a Teaching Strategies account through DCY, visit the “Develop” section in SmartTeach to access the Professional Development materials.
Please send questions about ELA to ELAHelp@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.