| Career Interest Assessment GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIVE |
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| Most developmental theorists view the elementary school years as a vital time to initiate career exploration. A developmental approach to career guidance is highly consistent with the developmental philosophy of elementary school guidance and counseling programs and the goal to help all children experience healthy intellectual, social, emotional, and career development for success in early life and in future years (Hoffman and McDaniels, 1991). The student’s introduction to the world of work should be accompanied by awareness of one’s self. Appraisal instruments provide a structured approach to facilitate counselors’ understanding of the interests, self-concept, and attitudes of children in Kindergarten through fifth grade (Herring, 1998). These formal and/or informal career assessments can be used effectively one-on-one with students, in small groups, and with intact classes to facilitate career guidance. Specifically in early grades, parental understanding of what a career assessment is and how it is used in career guidance can assist counselors in creating a valuable alliance to further each student’s career development. Because parents wrestle with myths that surround career assessment, counselors should explore ways to dismantle these myths. Helping parents understand that career assessments have no "right" or "wrong" answer and that they will not be used to "track" a student can ease parental concern. The guidance counselor who clarifies a misunderstanding that career guidance is based on just one test that will "tell the student what career he/she should choose" can effectively reinforce the role of the parent in early career awareness and planning. K-5 Career assessments are available to engage the student with the self-knowledge needed to mold the student’s self-concept and self-esteem. Many career instruments take the form of paper and pencil or pictorial assessments in pre-school and the elementary grades and become part of an active career activity that aims to engage the student in self-reflection. Innovative and entertaining CareerAssessment career awareness CACGS that capitalize on the "video generation" and its fascination with interactive video gaming can incorporate developmentally appropriate assessments of interests and self. Available from SCOIS, the COIN Climb I and II and COIN Clue products provide a multimedia approach to career awareness, career exploration, and self-awareness. |
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| K—5 Career Assessment Instruments | |||
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| Title | Earliest Grade Level |
Description | Publisher |
Wide Range Interest Opinion Test |
5 |
Assess perceptions of ability, aspiration level, and social conformity for use in vocational and career planning and counseling |
Jastak |
Farm R COPSystem Intermediate Inventory |
4 |
Occupational clusters |
Testing Service |
Explore the World of Work |
4 |
Assesses vocational interests |
CKFR Career Material, Inc. |
Hall Occupational Orientation Inventory (Intermediate) |
3 |
Assesses psychological needs related to worker’s traits and job characteristics |
Scholastic Testing Service |
Individual Career Exploration |
3 |
Assesses general career |
Scholastic Testing Service |
Career Awareness Inventory, Level 1 |
3 |
Measure how much students know about careers and their own career choices |
Scholastic Testing Service |
Values Inventory for Children |
1 |
Assesses values of children and their relations to other children, parents, and authority figures |
Sheridan Psychological Services |
The Affective Perception Inventory |
1 |
Measures students’ attitude toward self and school and specific school subjects |
Soares Associates |
Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory—School Form |
3 |
Assesses attitudes toward self, school, family, and peers |
Consulting Psychological Press |
Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory |
3 |
Measures general self-esteem, school |
Special Child Publications |