1. The Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF)
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

2. Why Is the Child Outcomes Summary Form Needed?
No assessment instrument assesses the three outcomes directly
Different programs will be using different assessment instruments, and outcome data will need to be aggregated across programs
COSF allows you to take the apples and oranges provided from different assessment instruments and translate the data into a common metric (fruit) so that it can be grouped for use at the state level and the federal level.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

3. Features of the Child Outcomes Summary Form
It is not an assessment tool
It uses information from assessment tools and observations to get a global sense of how the child is doing at one point in time
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

4. Features of the Child Outcomes Summary Form
7-point rating scale
Rating is based on the child’s functioning:
What the child does across settings and situations
Compared with what is expected given the child’s age
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

5. Thinking About the Achievement of Each Child Outcome
Figure represents the range of skills and behavior observed in all children in the general population.
The yellow circle represents those with age-expected behavior. That includes quite a range of skills. By definition, most children in the general population fit into the yellow circle. There are some children at the fringe of the yellow circle (just beyond the dotted line, still in yellow) who show age-expected skills now, but for whom providers and parents have concerns that if they continue on this developmental course, then in future years they might no longer show age-expected skills. (Perhaps they have the skills now but don’t appear to be gaining new skills at a rate or in quality that parallels other children their age.) Then there are children who right now do not show age-expected skills and behaviors. Some are pretty close, but not quite at age-expected levels (like the red ring, where you might see a mix of age-expected and not age-expected skills in different situations or at different times). Others are farther from age-expected levels—like the blue ring, where a child might show skills that are the immediate foundation for age-expected skills (not displaying age-expected skills yet, but a step just before that in the sequence of development). Still other children are farthest from age-expected levels. Those in the outermost pink ring also show skills, but they don’t show those expected for their age or even those that are the close precursors to those skills. Over time, children might move from the inside of the circle out away from age expected (e.g., the bar gets higher—a child’s behavior might look more age expected as a baby but fall farther away with increasing age) or move from the outside of the circle in (e.g., a child exhibiting delays gets needed services or accommodations and begins to catch up in functioning to the skills shown by same-age peers). The goal of early intervention and preschool special education is to help children move closer to the yellow circle. Not all will reach it, but in the work that we do, we hope to either minimize children’s movement away from yellow (e.g., in cases like Down Syndrome, where this typically does happen) or to help children move from an outer circle as close into yellow as possible.
(There are seven circles, which correspond to seven COSF ratings. The innermost circle represents a rating of 7; discuss later.)
Early Childhood Outcomes Center 5

6. Key Points
Assumption: Children can be described with regard to how close they are to age-expected functioning for each of the three outcomes
By definition, most children in the general population demonstrate the outcome in an age-expected way
Over time, some children will move farther away from age-expected functioning (skills at older ages are more demanding)
By providing services and supports, programs are trying to move children closer to age-expected functioning
Some children will never achieve this
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

7. Essential Knowledge for Completing the COSF
Between them, team members must:
Know about the child’s functioning across settings and situations
Understand age-expected child development
Understand the content of the three child outcomes
Know how to use the rating scale
Understand age expectations for child functioning within the child’s culture
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

8. The Form Cover page + three outcome pages On each outcome page:
Two questions per outcome
Space to document the basis for the rating
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

9. Child Outcomes Summary Form
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

10. The Two COSF Questions
a. To what extent does this child show age-appropriate functioning, across a variety of settings and situations, on this outcome? (Rating: 1-7)
b. Has the child shown any new skills or behaviors related to [this outcome] since the last outcomes summary? (Yes-No)
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

11. Summary Ratings (1-7)
Provide an overall sense of the child’s current functioning in three areas
Reduce rich information from assessment and observation into ratings to allow a summary of progress across children
Do not provide information for planning for the individual child. Information at the rich, detailed level will be more helpful for intervention planning purposes
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

12. Summary Ratings Reflect Global Functioning
Ratings on each outcome are a snapshot of:
The whole child
Status of the child’s current functioning
Functioning across settings and situations
Rather than:
Skill by skill
In one standardized way
Split by domains
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

13. Using Information from Assessment Tools
The ECO Center has “crosswalked” assessment tools to the outcomes
Crosswalks show which sections of assessment tools are related to each outcome
Having many items does not necessarily mean the assessment captures functioning across settings
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

14. Early Childhood Outcomes Center14

15. Crosswalk
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

16. A Domain Score on an Assessment Tool Does Not Necessarily Translate Directly Into an Outcome Rating
Ratings require:
Looking at functional behaviors
Collecting and synthesizing input from many sources familiar with the child in many different settings and situations
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

17. Summary Ratings Are Based on…
Types of Information
Curriculum-based assessments (e.g., HELP)
Norm-referenced assessments (e.g., BDI-2)
Developmental screenings (e.g., Ages & Stages)
Observation and report
Sources of Information
Parents and family members
Service providers
Therapists
Physicians
Child care providers
Teachers
People familiar with the child in all of the settings and situations that he/she is in
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

18. The Basis for the Ratings
Scale runs from 1-7 with a 6 or 7 indicating age appropriate functioning
Lower numbers indicate distance from age appropriate functioning
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

19. 7 – Completely
The child shows behaviors and skills expected in all or almost all everyday situations that are part of the child’s life
Home, store, park, child care, with strangers, etc.
The child’s functioning is considered appropriate for his/her age
No one has significant concerns about the child’s functioning in this outcome area
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

20. 6 – Between Completely and Somewhat
The child’s functioning generally is considered appropriate for his or her age, but there are some significant concerns about the child’s functioning in this outcome area
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

21. 5 – Somewhat
The child shows functioning expected for his/her age some of the time and/or in some situations
The child’s functioning is a mix of age-appropriate and not appropriate functioning
The child’s functioning might be described as like that of a slightly younger child
We use the terminology that behaviors MIGHT BE more like those of younger children intentionally. For example, a child with autism does not display typical behaviors, but the behaviors observed would not be described as those of a younger child either.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

22. 4 – Between a 5 and a 3
Child shows some age appropriate functioning some of the time or in some situations or settings but most of the child’s functioning would be described as not yet age appropriate
The child’s functioning might be described as like that of a younger child
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

23. 3 – Emerging
The child does not yet show functioning expected of a child his/her age in any situation
The child’s behaviors and skills include immediate foundational skills on which to build age-appropriate functioning
The child’s functioning might be described as like that of a younger child
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

24. 2 – Between 3 and 1
The child does not yet show functioning expected of a child his/her age in any situation
The child’s behaviors and skills does have some the immediate foundational skills on which to build age-appropriate functioning but these are not displayed very often
The child’s functioning might be described as like that of a younger or even much younger child
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

25. 1 – Not Yet
The child does not yet show functioning expected of a child his/her age in any situation
The child’s skills and behaviors also do not yet include any immediate foundational skills on which to build age-appropriate functioning
The child’s functioning might be described as like that of a much younger child
Children with 1 ratings still have skills, just not yet at an immediate foundational level
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

26. What are immediate foundational skills?
Foundational skills are….
Skills and behaviors that occur earlier in development and serve as the foundation for later skill development
Teachers and interventionists often use foundational skills to help children move to the next level developmentally
Immediate foundational skills are…
Skills that are conceptually linked to later skills and immediately precede the later skills developmentally
Example: Children play alongside one another before they interact in play
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

27. “Concerns” That Distinguish Ratings of 7 vs. 6
All children have strengths and weaknesses. Families and providers identify areas to work on to support ongoing growth (some call these “concerns”)
What types of concerns would result in a rating of 6?
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

28. “Concerns” That Distinguish Ratings of 7 vs. 6
Concerns raised for which families and providers may want to offer extra support and strategies to promote development, but the area of concern is not a possible indicator or precursor of a significant developmental problem (7)
vs.
Developmental concerns—weaknesses significant enough to watch closely and definitely support. Although age expected now, the child’s development borders on not keeping pace with age-expected levels or shows early signs of possible developmental problems (6)
Examples of a rating of 7: (1) Significant shyness. A parent may have concerns about the behavior of a child who is very shy but that behavior is age appropriate. (2) Temper tantrums. A parent may have concerns about a child’s temper tantrums, which may be expected given the child’s age.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

29. Where to Focus in Deciding the Rating
Focus on the child’s overall functioning across settings and situations
Functioning that is displayed rarely and/or when the child is provided with a lot of unusual support or prompts is of little significance for the rating
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

30. The Process for Answering Questions 1a, 2a, 3a
For each outcome…
Discuss the child’s current functioning in this outcome area across settings and situations
Identify areas where the child’s functioning is age appropriate
If not all functioning is age appropriate, identify areas where the child’s functioning reflects immediate foundational skills
Decide which rating best describes the child’s current functioning
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

31. the Child Outcomes Summary Form
Practice Example
with
the Child Outcomes Summary Form
We suggest starting with a case that is a slightly older child (toddler or older). We tend to find rating young infants’ behavior is more difficult.
Some states have guidelines about not doing ratings until a child is a certain age. We have heard 4 months or 6 months as the most common minimum ages.
Practice cases are always harder than real ones because everyone present doesn’t know the child. “Team members” will have an opportunity to ask lots of questions needed to try to make a decision, but it isn’t the same as when you have a knowledge base about the child to start from. So, ideally work with cases where there are at least two people who know the child—that way, you can see their slightly different impressions as well.
If the group being trained is more than 20 or 25 people, we recommend doing one or two practice cases with the entire group and then breaking into smaller groups of 10 or fewer to give each person ample opportunity to practice deciding on ratings. Ask for a recorder for each small group to note any issues that emerge that need to be addressed with the whole group. The trainer(s) need to float from group to group during small-group practice sessions and then reconvene the large group to address any questions or issues.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

32. Special Considerations
Children with no concerns related to that outcome
Correcting for prematurity
Ratings for very young children
Children who have only articulation problems
Can a child have all 7’s? (AKA, why are we serving this child?)
Assistive technology
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

33. Always Provide Ratings for All Three Outcomes
Ratings on all three outcomes should be reported for every child enrolled
Ratings are needed in all areas even if:
No one has concerns about a child’s development.
A child has delays in one or two outcome areas, but not in all three outcome areas
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

34. Correcting for Prematurity
The purpose of the rating is to document current functioning
The ECO Center recommends not correcting for prematurity
At a later age, the child’s functioning may show a higher rating, reflecting that the child has now caught up with age expectations
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

35. Ratings for Very Young Children
It is very difficult to identify 7 points of difference for a 4 week old
Possible solutions:
Use a limited number of points (1,3, and 7)
Don’t use the rating scale with children younger than a certain age, e.g., 4 months.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

36. Children Who Have Only Speech Articulation Problems
Discussion needs to examine whether and how articulation difficulties are affecting the child’s functioning with regard to each of the three outcomes
Examples:
Will anyone play with him/her?
Can others understand him/her on the playground?
How does he/she convey critical needs (e.g., safety needs)?
Depending on the child, discussion could yield ratings of 5, 6, 7 in any of the three areas
Ex. Outcome 3: 6 vs. 7 because of potential impact for safety
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

37. Assistive Technology and Accommodations
Ratings should reflect the child’s level of functioning using whatever assistive technology or special accommodations are present in the child’s day-to-day settings
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

38. Implications of Considering Available Assistive Technology in Ratings
Children who could benefit from assistive technology but don’t have it will get lower ratings
These lower ratings do not reflect a child’s inability as much as the fact that the child does not have the necessary equipment/services
Over time, the change in ratings tells us how much actual difference the program makes for this child
It may tell us that we could do more for some children
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

39. Including Parents in the Discussion
Parent input about the child’s functioning is critical
Family members see the child in situations that professionals do not
Need to ask family members about what the child does at home
The team will need a way to learn what family members know about the child
There is no expectation that parents will be able to determine whether what they are seeing is age appropriate
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

40. Explaining the Rating to Parents
If parents are included in deciding on a rating, professionals will need to be able to explain this process to parents
Even if parents are not included in deciding on a rating, professionals will need to be able to explain why the rating is being done and what it means
The ECO Center is developing materials to help with this discussion
However, if your state develops materials before we do, please share them with us!!
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

41. What If a Team Cannot Reach Consensus?
Team disagreement is a common concern, but this doesn’t happen often
Structure the discussion to minimize the likelihood of reaching an impasse
Adopt a policy/procedure for dealing with these situations
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

42. Minimizing the Likelihood of Reaching an Impasse
Focus most of the discussion on the child’s skills related to the outcome; don’t go to selecting a rating number too quickly
Discuss the rationales for the differing ratings; focus on concrete descriptions and explore how these support a rating
Include more discussion on what skills and behaviors you would see in a typically developing child this age to provide more background for the discussion of this child
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

43. Policy for Handling Disagreements
Possible options
Majority rules
Supervisor decides
No rating is given
If unresolvable differences are occurring fairly frequently, revisit how the rating is being decided
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

44. Decision Tree for Summary Rating Discussions
Does the child
ever
function in wa
ys that
would be considered age
appropriate with
regard to this outcome?
Does the child use any immediate foundational skills related to this outcome on which to build age-appropriate functioning across settings and situations?
Is the child’s functioning age appropriate across all or almost all settings and situations?
To what extent is the child using immediate
foundational skills across settings and situations?
To what extent is the child using
age -
appropriate skills across
settings and situations?
Rating = 1
Rating = 2
Rating = 3
Rating = 4
Rating
= 5
Rating = 6
Rating = 7
Does anyone have
concerns about the
child’s functioning
with
regard to the
outcome area?
No (consider rating 1 3)
Yes (consider rating 4-7) No
Yes
Child rarely
uses
foundational
skills across
settings and
situations
Child uses
situations most or
all of the time
Child rarel
y uses
appropriate
skills.
There is
much more
behav
ior
that is
not age
appropriate than
appropriate.
Child uses age
appropriate skills
some of the time a
cross settings and
situations.
There is a
mix of appropriate
and not appropriate
behaviors and skills.
The Early Childhood Outcomes Center, Revised
We suggest letting teams practice with one case first and then introducing and walking through the decision tree.

46. Assessment information entered under ‘functioning that is age appropriate’ only – documents a rating of ‘7’

47. Assessment information about evenly distributed under both ‘functioning that is age appropriate’ and ‘functioning that shows immediate foundational skills’ documents a rating of ‘5’ – a mix of age appropriate and not age appropriate.

48. Assessment information under ‘functioning that will lead to immediate foundational skills’ only – documents a rating of ‘1’.

49. Most of the assessment information under ‘functioning that shows immediate foundational skills,’ and just one piece of information under ‘functioning that will lead to immediate foundational skills’ – would document a rating of ‘3.’ A rating of 3 means that the child uses immediate foundational skills across settings and situations most of all of the time. Documentation with the entries reversed – lots of info entered in the first box, and a few pieces of information in the second box – would support a rating of ‘2.’ A rating of 2 means that the child only rarely uses immediate foundational skills.

50. More Practice with the Child Outcomes Summary Form
We suggest starting with a case that is a slightly older child (toddler or older). We tend to find rating young infants’ behavior is more difficult.
Some states have guidelines about not doing ratings until a child is a certain age. We have heard 4 months or 6 months as the most common minimum ages.
Practice cases are always harder than real ones because everyone present doesn’t know the child. “Team members” will have an opportunity to ask lots of questions needed to try to make a decision, but it isn’t the same as when you have a knowledge base about the child to start from. So, ideally work with cases where there are at least two people who know the child—that way, you can see their slightly different impressions as well.
If the group being trained is more than 20 or 25 people, we recommend doing one or two practice cases with the entire group and then breaking into smaller groups of 10 or fewer to give each person ample opportunity to practice deciding on ratings. Ask for a recorder for each small group to note any issues that emerge that need to be addressed with the whole group. The trainer(s) need to float from group to group during small-group practice sessions and then reconvene the large group to address any questions or issues.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

51. Instructions to Small Groups
Present what is known about child with regard to outcome 1
Examine (and record) the child’s functioning with regard to age expectations
What is age appropriate? What is not?
What should be considered immediate foundational skills?
Decide on a rating and record it
Repeat for outcomes 2 and 3
Note issues, “sticky points,” or questions that arise
Be prepared to share a case with the large group
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

52. Documenting the Rating
On the form, you will need to document:
What evidence led to the selected rating, evidence of …..
Age expected functioning?
Immediate foundational skills
Skills and behaviors that will lead to immediate foundational skills
Who participated in the conversation and the decision
Documentation provides a record of the rationale for the rating decision
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

53. Why is it important to document the rating?
Evidence can be reviewed to see whether people are using the system properly (i.e., rating similar children in the same ways)
Documentation helps identify needs for future training and technical assistance
Documentation may be useful for new team members reviewing the file
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

54. Supporting Evidence for Answers to Questions 1a, 2a, 3a
Source of
information
Date
Summary of Relevant Results
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

55. Source: Who or What Contributed Information
Speech therapist
Psychologist
Mother
Battelle Developmental Inventory
Carolina Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

56. The Progress Questions (1b, 2b, 3b)
Apply only if a Child Outcomes Summary Form has been completed previously
Compare the child’s current and past behavior
Has the child shown any new skills or behaviors in the outcome area since the last rating? (Yes or No)
Small steps of progress count!
Examples…
Most will select “Yes”
Early Childhood Outcomes Center

57. ECO Center Next Steps for Work on Child Outcomes
Additional information, including additional crosswalks, training slides, and materials for parents, will be posted on our website
Usually somewhere in the COSF training is a section delivered by state personnel to help individuals see how this will be specifically implemented in the state. This section describes state policies, how the process fits with current activities (and tips to help it work and flow), guidelines for when and how to report ratings, what to count as entry and exit, how to handle children who leave a program in one community and move to another community within the state, expectations about who will be involved (including parent involvement), the timing and location of start-up, plans for ongoing quality assurance and opportunities to regroup and discuss what is working and what is challenging and what needs clarifying, how exit from Part C links (or doesn’t) to entry to Part B preschool, expectations about whether or not age for rating should include correction for prematurity (ECO Center recommends that it does not), minimum age of children included in rating process, how this fits with family outcome data collection, and so on. If it is a train-the-trainer session, there may be time in the day to talk about tips and expectations for training others and implementing the process.
We suggest providing trainees with PowerPoints; overview, introduction, and COSF forms; expanded detail about each of the three child outcomes (April 2005 document from the ECO Center on child outcomes, developed for recommendations to OSEP); decision tree; information about where to seek resources—information on the ECO Center and information available from the ECO Center website, resources on websites to review for more information on child development and age-expected behavior for children who are developing in typical patterns.
Early Childhood Outcomes Center