Teachers’ Perceptions of the Use of the Global Guidelines Assessment Tool in Italy: Blending Assessment and Teacher Training in the Kindergartens of Parma

The growing emphasis on accountability in educational settings requires teacher educators to develop effective and relevant strategies to prepare pre-service teachers and to support in-service teachers in the area of assessment. This article presents a creative in-service teacher training project in Parma, Italy that engages kindergarten teachers in the use of a global assessment tool for the purpose of professional development, improved learning environments, and enhanced teacher self-assessment and critical thinking. The project stems from a collaborative research project between teacher educators in South Carolina and Reggio Emilia, Italy.