OSEP Initiatives on Early Childhood Outcomes Kathy Hebbeler Early Childhood Outcomes Center SRI International Presented at ECEA-SCASS Meeting Savannah, Georgia October, 2010 1

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Topics What state are required to report State approaches Most recent data Child Outcomes Measurement Framework Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Reporting Requirement for Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Why does the federal government want data on child outcomes? Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) passed in 1993 Requires goals and indicators be established for IDEA Indicators and data collection for school age population included data on outcomes Previously, for early childhood data had been collected on: Number of children served (Part C) Settings (both Part C and 619

OSEP: PART evaluation results (2002) 130 programs examined in 2002; 50% programs had no performance data Programs looking at inputs, not results Part C and Section 619 No long-term child outcome goals or data Department of Education needs to develop a strategy to collect annual performance data in a timely manner Early Childhood Outcomes Center

IDEA 2004 SEC. 616. <<NOTE: 20 USC 1416.>> MONITORING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT. ``(a) Federal and State Monitoring.….. (2) Focused monitoring.--The primary focus of Federal and State monitoring activities described in paragraph (1) shall be on-- (A) improving educational results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities;

OSEP Reporting Requirements: Child Outcomes Positive social emotional skills (including positive social relationships) Acquisition and use of knowledge and skills (including early language/ communication and early literacy) Use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs

What States Report: OSEP Reporting Categories Percentage of children who: a. Did not improve functioning b. Improved functioning, but not sufficient to move nearer to functioning comparable to same-aged peers c. Improved functioning to a level nearer to same-aged peers but did not reach it d. Improved functioning to reach a level comparable to same-aged peers e. Maintained functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers 3 outcomes x 5 “measures” = 15 numbers

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Reporting details Progress for all children who exited between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 Stayed in the program at least 6 months Data will be reported to OSEP in February 2011 Data reported for the first time for children who exited in 07-08 year. Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Summary Statements Of those children who entered the program below age expectations in each outcome, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they turned 3 [6] years of age or exited the program. The percent of children who were functioning within age expectations in each outcome by the time they turned 3 [6] years of age or exited the program.

Formula for SS 1 (c+d)/(a+b+c+d) 13

Formula for SS 2 (d+e)/(a+b+c+d+e)

Early Childhood Outcomes Center State approaches Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

State Approaches to Measuring Child Outcomes Part C (56 states/jur) Preschool (59 states/jur) One tool statewide 7/56 (13%) 9/59 (15%) Publishers’ online analysis 3/56 (5%) 6/59 (10%) COSF 7 pt. scale 41/56 (73%) 38/59 (64%) Other 5/56 (9%) 7/59 (10%) Percents changed this year for several reasons: (1) we recoded the online analysis with one tool as online analysis due to more in common, (2) at least one more state provided data so the N is different, and (3) a couple states changed categories Changes from preliminary data due to ‘week of clarification’ documents and also taking out ‘at risk’ from those states, as appropriate.

Child Outcomes Rating Form (COSF) 7-point rating scale with defined criteria for each point Criteria describe child’s functioning relative to same aged peers Child’s team uses multiple sources of information to assign rating Rating assigned at program entry and program exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The State Data for ‘08-’09 Early Childhood Outcomes Center

N=66,000

N=113,700

Early Childhood Outcomes Center A Framework and Self Assessment for Building a Child Outcomes Measurement System Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Purpose of the Framework Provide a common language for ECO and other TA providers to use in discussing COMSs with states. Provide a organizing structure of categorizing resources and state examples related to implementation of a COMS. Serve as the organizing structure for the self assessment Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Framework and Self-Assessment Set of components and quality indicators Provides the structure for the self-assessment Self-assessment Scale that provides criteria for levels of implementation within each quality indicator Rating assigned based on level of implementation within each indicator Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Process for Framework Development Built off what we had learned from ECO work with states and previous ECO conceptual framework Literature review Repeated discussion and review internally and with 7 Partner States

Framework Partner States Part C 619 California X Colorado Delaware Maine Minnesota New York Ohio

COMS Framework Components Purpose Analysis Data Collection and Trans-mission Reporting Using Data The difference between a data system and an outcomes measurement system. Cross-system Coordination Evaluation Early Childhood Outcomes Center

COMS Framework Components Purpose The state has effective procedures for collecting, storing, and transmitting data to the state. Analysis Data Collection and Trans-mission Reporting Using Data The difference between a data system and an outcomes measurement system. Cross-system Coordination Evaluation Early Childhood Outcomes Center

COMS Framework Components Purpose State coordinates child outcomes measurement and data use across EC systems. Analysis Data Collection and Trans-mission Reporting Using Data Cross-system Coordination Evaluation Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Quality Indicator Provides additional detail as to what constitutes quality implementation of the component. 18 quality indicators across the 7 components Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Quality Indicators for Data Collection and Transmission 2. Data collection procedures are carried out efficiently and effectively. 3. Providers, supervisors, and others involved in data collection have the required knowledge, skills, and commitment. 4. State's method for entering, transmitting, and storing data is effective and efficient. Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Structure of Self Assessment Components (7) = Major areas of framework Quality Indicators (18 total) = Statements of basic requirements of a quality COMS Elements (number varies with each indicator) = Define what constitutes high quality on the Quality Indicator. Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Scale for the Quality Indicators Implementation of Elements Quality Indicator Score All elements are fully implemented 7 Nearly all elements are fully implemented and the rest are in process 6 Most of the elements are fully implemented and the rest are in process. 5 At least one element is fully implemented and the rest are in process 4 All of the elements are in process 3 Some of the elements are in process 2 None of the elements are yet in process 1 Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Recommended State Approach for Using the Self Assessment Complete the entire self assessment. Identify the component(s) and quality indicators to address first. Develop action plan to improve the related elements. Implement improvement activities. Re-assess status and identify “next step” priorities at regular intervals Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Is and Isn’t Is a comprehensive resource to alert states to all the pieces that need to be in place to have a well functioning COMS Is not a cookbook or roadmap with each step in the process spelled out. Way too many decisions! Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Where would a state start? Questions (Analysis) Purpose Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Packaging Entire tool will exist online Live link from each element to a “back up” section Profile will be filled automatically based on the QI pages Will develop a version with live links to the back up and profile that will operate off line. Version that can be printed off as a manual. Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Next steps for ECO Populate the COMS framework with resources related to the components Revise the self assessment based on feedback Develop a framework for a Family Outcomes Measurement System Early Childhood Outcomes Center

System for Producing Good Child and Family Outcomes Prof’l Development Preservice Inservice Evidence Based Practice Good outcomes for children and families High quality services and supports for children 0-5 and their families Good Federal policies and programs Good State policies and programs Good Local policies and programs Part of the intentionality we need to building our systems is the availability and use of good information about the direct service component and the other components in the systems. Without good information, we are operating in a “pay and pray” mode. Without good data, we don’t know what we are buying with our money. And we don’t have the tools to identify program weaknesses and address them. Strong Leadership Adequate funding Information infrastructure

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Early Childhood Information Infrastructure: Data Needed for Program Improvement WHO SERVICES OUTCOMES PERSONNEL COST Who – Ages Disabilities Race/ethnicity Services – what, how much, how long – part c and 619 – many different services; not so much with state operated preschool Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Early Childhood Outcomes Center For more information For updates to the framework and the self-assessment and resources to support the quality indicators: www.the-eco-center.org Early Childhood Outcomes Center