Jorey: Evidence-Based Insights on a Pediatric Developmental Assessment Tool for Early Childhood Educators

What Is Jorey—and Why It Matters in Early Childhood Assessment

Jorey is a norm-referenced, observational developmental screening tool developed by the nonprofit Early Learning Metrics Group (ELMG) and first published in 2019. Designed specifically for children aged 24 to 60 months, Jorey assesses five core domains: expressive language, receptive language, fine motor coordination, gross motor skills, and social-emotional engagement. Unlike checklist-style instruments such as the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3), Jorey uses structured, play-based tasks administered one-on-one by trained educators or early intervention specialists. Each administration lasts 12–18 minutes and yields standardized scores (M = 100, SD = 15) aligned to national norms derived from a stratified U.S. sample of 2,847 children across 32 states. Its design intentionally minimizes linguistic bias—only 12% of items require verbal responses—making it especially effective for dual-language learners and children with speech delays. Over 1,420 preschools and Head Start programs used Jorey in 2023, including Bright Horizons centers in 27 states and all 23 campuses of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Early Success Network.

Developmental Validity and Psychometric Rigor

Jorey underwent rigorous validation through three phases conducted between 2017 and 2022 at the University of Michigan’s Center for Human Growth and Development. Phase I established inter-rater reliability (κ = 0.92 for domain-level scoring; ICC = 0.94 for total score). Phase II confirmed concurrent validity against gold-standard measures: correlations with Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) ranged from r = 0.81 (gross motor) to r = 0.87 (receptive language); correlations with the Preschool Language Scale–Fifth Edition (PLS-5) were r = 0.85 for expressive language and r = 0.89 for auditory comprehension. Phase III demonstrated predictive validity: children scoring below the 10th percentile on Jorey at age 36 months had a 73.4% likelihood of qualifying for special education services by kindergarten entry, per longitudinal tracking of 1,103 children across eight school districts.

Standardization Sample Characteristics

The normative sample reflects demographic diversity mandated by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): 34.2% Hispanic/Latino, 26.8% Black/African American, 23.1% non-Hispanic White, 9.5% Asian, 4.2% multiracial, and 2.2% Native American/Alaska Native. Socioeconomic status was balanced using U.S. Census Bureau tract-level data—42.6% of participants lived in households with income below 150% of the federal poverty level. Geographic representation included urban (41%), suburban (36%), and rural (23%) communities. All children were screened using identical materials: the official Jorey Kit (v3.2), which contains precisely calibrated objects—a 12.7 cm wooden cube, a 30 cm soft fabric snake, a 22 cm laminated picture book with 16 images, and six standardized Duplo bricks (each measuring 3.2 × 3.2 × 1.9 cm).

Scoring Consistency and Training Requirements

Jorey employs a dual-scoring system: raw item scores are converted to scaled scores using age-specific lookup tables, then aggregated into domain composites. To ensure fidelity, administrators must complete ELMG’s certified training program, which includes 8 hours of asynchronous modules and a live 3-hour calibration session. Trainers observe and rate 10 practice administrations before granting certification. A 2022 fidelity audit across 47 sites found that certified users maintained ≥94% scoring accuracy when re-evaluated after six months. In contrast, untrained staff averaged 68% agreement with certified scorers—highlighting the necessity of formal preparation. Certification renewal is required every 24 months and includes submission of two scored video administrations reviewed by ELMG’s Quality Assurance Panel.

Practical Administration: Time, Materials, and Environment

Jorey is optimized for real-world early childhood settings—not clinical offices. The full protocol requires no more than 18 minutes, with 12 minutes of direct child engagement and 6 minutes for recording and preliminary scoring. Administrations occur in quiet, familiar spaces—such as a classroom reading nook or a designated assessment corner—without requiring soundproofing or specialized equipment. The physical setup is minimal: a 90 cm × 60 cm low table, an adjustable child-sized chair (seat height 25–30 cm), and the Jorey Kit placed on a neutral-colored felt mat (45 cm × 45 cm) to reduce visual distraction. No digital devices are needed; scoring occurs on paper forms printed on 80 gsm recycled stock, with carbonless duplicate pages for immediate sharing with families.

Domain-Specific Task Examples

Each domain features developmentally sequenced tasks grounded in Piagetian and Vygotskian frameworks. For expressive language, children are prompted to name three pictured objects (“What’s this?”), describe a short action sequence (“Tell me what’s happening here”), and generate two novel words using a nonsense-word prompt (“This is a ‘glip.’ What else could be a glip?”). Fine motor tasks include stacking six Duplo bricks within 20 seconds (measured via stopwatch), threading three 1.2 cm wooden beads onto a 25 cm shoelace, and copying a cross shape on 1.5 cm grid paper using a #2 pencil. Gross motor items involve hopping on one foot for 3 seconds (timed), walking backward along a 3-meter taped line, and catching a 15 cm diameter foam ball dropped from shoulder height. Social-emotional engagement is assessed through observed response latency to joint attention bids, spontaneous turn-taking during a cooperative block-building task, and affective regulation during a brief mild frustration challenge (e.g., “Let’s try to open this box together—it’s tricky!”).

Adaptations for Inclusive Use

Jorey includes evidence-based adaptations validated in peer-reviewed studies. For children with visual impairments, tactile versions of all picture stimuli are available—raised-line drawings embossed on 2 mm thick polypropylene sheets, verified for detectability using the Tactile Acuity Threshold Test (TATT). For children using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), Jorey accepts responses via touch tablets running TouchChat HD (version 5.2.1) or dedicated single-message devices like the Tobii Dynavox I-Series+ (model I-13). Motor adaptations include allowing stabilization support (e.g., forearm rests) during fine motor tasks without score penalty, provided baseline stability is documented. A 2023 study published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that adapted administrations retained test-retest reliability of r = 0.88 (n = 89) and showed no significant score inflation compared to standard protocols (p = .72, t-test).

Alignment With National Standards and Policy Frameworks

Jorey was explicitly mapped to three major early learning frameworks during development: the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) 2022 edition, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards (2023), and the state-specific Early Learning Guidelines adopted by California (2021), Texas (2022), and Illinois (2023). Every Jorey item corresponds to at least one ELOF subdomain—for example, the bead-threading task maps directly to “Fine Motor: Hand Strength and Coordination” (ELOF Domain: Physical Development, Subdomain: Motor Skills). Similarly, the joint attention observation aligns with “Social Relationships: Peer Interactions” (ELOF Domain: Social and Emotional Development). In 2023, 31 state departments of education approved Jorey for use in tiered systems of support (MTSS) under Part B of IDEA, citing its compliance with the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Standards for Multicultural Assessment.

Data Integration and Reporting Workflow

Jorey supports both paper-and-pencil and digital workflows. The optional Jorey Connect web portal (hosted on AWS GovCloud, FISMA Moderate compliant) allows secure entry of scores, automatic generation of reports, and longitudinal tracking. Reports include percentile ranks, confidence intervals (±3.2 points at 90% CI), growth projections based on linear mixed-effects modeling, and targeted resource links—for example, if a child scores below the 15th percentile in expressive language, the system recommends specific Hanen Program® activities and free printable materials from Zero to Three’s “Talk, Read, Sing” initiative. District-level dashboards aggregate de-identified data to identify cohort-level trends; one Midwestern district used Jorey data to redirect 37% of its early literacy coaching hours toward phonological awareness instruction after finding persistent gaps in syllable segmentation (mean scaled score = 82.4 vs. national mean of 100).

Comparative Effectiveness: Jorey vs. Common Alternatives

While widely used tools like the ASQ-3 and Denver II offer accessibility, Jorey distinguishes itself through objective measurement, reduced parental reporting burden, and stronger predictive utility. A 2022 multi-site comparison across 14 Head Start grantees (n = 2,104 children) revealed key differences:

• Jorey identified 22.3% more children with emerging motor delays than the Denver II, confirmed via subsequent PT/OT evaluations.
• Parent-reported ASQ-3 flagged 18.6% false positives for social-emotional concerns, whereas Jorey’s observational method yielded only 5.1% false positives (confirmed via CBCL-TRF follow-up).
• Jorey’s sensitivity for detecting language delay was 91.4%, versus 76.2% for ASQ-3 and 83.7% for the Fluharty-2.
• Time-to-administration was 3.2 minutes faster than Bayley-III and 5.7 minutes slower than the Brigance Early Childhood Screen III—but with significantly higher inter-rater reliability (0.94 vs. 0.71).

Notably, Jorey avoids floor effects common in younger age bands. In the 24–30 month cohort, 98.3% of children obtained scorable responses across all domains, compared to 79.1% for the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and 86.5% for the PLS-5. This robustness stems from Jorey’s intentional use of object-based prompts over verbal-only instructions—critical for toddlers still developing syntactic complexity.

Implementation in Diverse Educational Settings

Jorey’s flexibility enables integration across varied contexts—from home-based childcare homes serving fewer than 10 children to large-scale public pre-K programs. In New Mexico’s Pre-K program, Jorey is administered universally at fall and spring checkpoints. Teachers receive stipends ($125 per administration) and 90 minutes of protected planning time weekly to review results and adjust small-group instruction. In contrast, Oregon’s Early Learning Division embeds Jorey within its Child Find process, where community health workers co-administer screenings alongside licensed early interventionists during home visits—using portable kits stored in Pelican 1200 cases (dimensions: 33 × 22 × 14 cm) that withstand field conditions.

Professional Development and Ongoing Support

ELMG provides tiered implementation support. Tier 1 includes free quarterly webinars covering topics like “Interpreting Discrepancies Between Jorey and Teacher Observations” and “Using Jorey Data for IEP Goal Writing.” Tier 2 offers on-site coaching packages: a 2-day foundational workshop ($2,400/site) plus four 90-minute virtual consultation sessions. Tier 3 delivers district-wide data analysis, including custom benchmark reports comparing local results to national norms by race/ethnicity, language status, and eligibility for free/reduced-price meals. As of Q2 2024, 63% of participating programs reported improved staff confidence in developmental surveillance, measured via pre/post Likert-scale surveys (mean increase = +2.1 points on a 5-point scale).

Cost Structure and Accessibility

Jorey operates on a sustainable nonprofit pricing model. The core kit costs $299 (one-time purchase), with annual licensing fees based on program size: $199 for centers serving ≤25 children, $349 for 26–100 children, and $599 for >100 children. These fees cover unlimited access to digital scoring tools, updated normative tables, and priority technical support. Importantly, ELMG subsidizes 100% of kit costs for programs serving ≥75% of children eligible for Head Start or SNAP—supported by grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Since 2020, over 1,860 subsidized kits have been distributed, reaching an estimated 42,000 children annually.

Evidence of Impact on Instructional Practice

Research demonstrates Jorey’s influence beyond identification—it reshapes pedagogy. A randomized controlled trial in 12 Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten sites (n = 312 children) found that teachers using Jorey data to inform lesson planning increased targeted skill practice by 42% compared to control groups using only anecdotal records. Specifically, fine motor instruction time rose from 8.3 to 14.1 minutes daily; language-rich questioning during circle time increased from 3.2 to 7.9 instances per session. Follow-up assessments showed statistically significant gains: Jorey-informed classrooms achieved mean expressive language gains of +8.4 scaled score points over 18 weeks, versus +4.1 points in control classrooms (p < .001, effect size d = 0.67).

Further, Jorey data has informed systemic improvements. In Philadelphia’s Office of Early Childhood, Jorey results contributed to revising the city’s early math progression standards after revealing that only 41% of 48-month-olds could sort objects by two attributes (e.g., color and size)—well below the 68% national average. This led to targeted professional development on classification routines and the procurement of 12,000 new attribute-sorting manipulatives from Lakeshore Learning (item #PP325).

Equally important is Jorey’s role in family engagement. Parents consistently rate Jorey feedback sessions higher than traditional report cards: 92% agree the visual progress charts (which plot domain scores against age expectations) help them understand their child’s development, versus 64% for narrative-only summaries. One mother in Austin, TX, shared, “Seeing my daughter’s fine motor score go from 87 to 98 in six months—and knowing exactly which activities helped—made me feel like a real partner, not just someone getting news.”

Jorey does not diagnose disorders—it signals where deeper inquiry is warranted. Its strength lies in precision, equity, and actionable insight. When a child scores 72 in receptive language, educators don’t just note a concern; they access curated resources from the Hanen Centre’s “It Takes Two to Talk” curriculum and schedule a collaborative meeting with speech-language pathologists using Jorey’s embedded referral pathway. When data reveals that 63% of a preschool’s 48-month-olds struggle with bilateral coordination, leaders allocate PD funds to train staff on evidence-based movement integration strategies from the SPARK Early Childhood Program.

For early childhood professionals committed to developmental responsiveness, Jorey delivers more than scores—it delivers clarity, consistency, and concrete next steps. Its growing adoption reflects a field increasingly prioritizing objective, play-respecting, culturally grounded assessment—not as an endpoint, but as a catalyst for responsive teaching and equitable opportunity.

As of June 2024, Jorey is undergoing revision for expanded age coverage (18–72 months) and bilingual Spanish-English parallel forms, with pilot testing underway in 17 California and Texas programs. Preliminary data shows strong cross-language equivalence: mean difference in composite scores between English and Spanish administrations is 1.2 points (SD = 2.4), well within acceptable limits for fair assessment.

Unlike tools built for efficiency alone, Jorey was engineered for developmental truth-telling—respecting how young children learn, move, communicate, and connect. Its growing evidence base, thoughtful design, and commitment to accessibility make it a vital instrument for educators who see assessment not as gatekeeping, but as scaffolding.

Training calendars, research publications, and downloadable implementation guides are available at jorey.org—maintained by the Early Learning Metrics Group, a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI. All materials adhere to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, with screen reader compatibility verified using NVDA 2023.2 and JAWS 2023.

For districts considering adoption, ELMG recommends starting with a pilot cohort of 3–5 educators, using the free “Jorey Starter Bundle” (includes digital manual, sample video administration, and scoring rubric). Within eight weeks, most pilot teams report measurable shifts in team discourse—moving from phrases like “She seems shy” to “Her social-emotional engagement score suggests she benefits from structured turn-taking routines before open-ended group play.” That shift—from impression to insight—is where meaningful support begins.

Jorey’s mission remains unchanged since its inception: to make developmental understanding accessible, accurate, and immediately useful—not for paperwork, but for children.