The Episcopal School of Knoxville uses the Gesell Developmental Observation Tool to assess the readiness of incoming Kindergarten and First Grade students. Developmental evaluation is based upon the processes, the organization, the underlying neurological-motor patterns, overt behaviors, and verbalization, as well as the end products completed. This qualitative assessment provides a composite picture of a child'ss developmental age, his or her individual rate of growth, and his or her integrity in the total growth process.

The Gesell Developmental Observation provides us with important information in the following areas:

Physical / Neurological Growth
            - Fine motor skills
           -  Eye-Hand coordination
            - Visual tracking, perception and integration skills
            - Large motor skills

Language Skills
            - Sentence structure
            - Semantics
            - Vocabulary
            - Ability to express self verbally
            - Verbal classifications skills

Adaptive Behaviors

            - Thinking, memory and perception
            - Attention to task
            - Ability to follow directions
            - Short term visual and auditory memory
            - Cognitive perceptual patterning
            - Organizational skills
            - Logical mathematical thinking skills
            - Application of what is learned

Additionally, the process a child uses while responding to the various tasks is weighted into this developmental screening.