The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fourth Edition (PPVT-4) is used as a measure of receptive vocabulary for Standard American English.  It is standardized and has been used in many large-scale studies.  In some studies, the PPVT scores are responsive to interventions when other measures are not.   

Starting with the 2024-25 school year, PPVT is NO LONGER required for the Educare National Evaluation.  PPVT data can still be entered into the survey website to create raw data files; it may not be processed by FPG.  

Who: A 50% sample of all Educare children who will be eligible for Kindergarten in the coming school year or the one after  (the two “Head Start” years) with parental consent for the National Evaluation.  Assess any age-eligible child with a birthday in an even-numbered month (February, April, June, etc.).  

Type:  Direct individual child assessment

Timing of Assessment:   In the Spring (March 1 – June 30) of the child’s two years prior to Kindergarten eligibility

Variables entered into the web database:  Form (A or B), raw score, standard score, and date of administration.

Timing of data submission to FPG: Child assessment data are submitted in June.

Notes for administration:

Assessor(s):Data collectors should read the manual and practice administration with a few adults until they feel confident enough to practice with 3 or 4 year old children.  They practice many times; record themselves and review the video; practice more until they feel comfortable, then send a video with the test protocol and site review form to FPG for approval.

Instructions are found in Chapter 2 of the PPVT-4.  The starting point is determined by calculating the child’s age and the end point is determined by the ceiling rule of 8 or more errors in a set.  A basal is established by completing the first set with 0 or 1 errors.  If 2 or more errors occur on the first set administered, the data collector works backwards in sets until a basal is reached.

For sites that choose to collect additional PPVT-4 data in the fall, use Form A for Fall Assessments and Form B for Spring Assessments (or vice-versa).  The intent is to use one version in the fall and the other in the spring for all children assessed.  

Linking the PPVT-4 to the Educare Learning Network Logic Model

Child Progress Measures and Language/Literacy:

• Children will demonstrate age-appropriate language skills and emergent literacy skills.  
• Children with delays and disabilities in language/communication will be identified and given appropriate services.