True or False: Screening programs are diagnostic and based on whether a child has passed a certain curriculum.

The statement that screening programs are diagnostic and based on whether a child has passed a certain curriculum is false. Screening programs are primarily designed to identify children who may be at risk for developmental delays or disabilities, rather than to diagnose those conditions. They provide an initial assessment that helps determine if further evaluation is needed. The focus of screening is to gauge developmental milestones and overall well-being, not to assess mastery of a specific curriculum or set of learning objectives.

While screens may indicate areas of concern that warrant further investigation, they do not serve as conclusive diagnoses or should not be seen as a pass/fail situation. Therefore, indicating that such programs are diagnostic in nature misunderstands their purpose and the nuances involved in child development assessment.