1. 1 Measuring Child Outcomes: State of the Nation

2. 2 Learning objective: To gain new information about the national picture regarding measuring child outcomes

3. 3 Why we are collecting child outcomes data

4. Keeping our eyes on the prize: High quality services for children and families that will lead to good outcomes.

5. 5 Goal of early childhood special education “…To enable young children to be active and successful participants during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings – in their homes with their families, in child care, in preschool or school programs, and in the community.” (from the Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) Center http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~eco/pdfs/eco_outcomes_4-13-05.pdf)

6. 6 High quality data on outcomes Data are one piece of the early intervention system Data yield: –Evidence that allows you to make an –inference that should lead to specific –actions to improve the system.

7. 7 Prof’l Development Preservice Inservice System for Producing Good Child and Family Outcomes Good Federal policies and programs Good State policies and programs High quality services and supports for children 0-5 and their families Good outcomes for children and families Good Local policies and programs Adequate funding Strong Leadership

8. 8 The Vision: Using data as a tool for program improvement Early intervention and early childhood programs will have quality data available on an ongoing basis about multiple components of the system –Outcomes for children and families –Programs and services provided –Personnel (types, qualifications, etc.) –Etc.

9. 9 Driving force for data comes from the federal level Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

10. State of the nation: Federal reporting requirements

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 Reporting Schedule February 2009 Progress data were reported for all children who exited programs who had received services for at least 6 months Repeat with next year’s data in 2010, etc. 2010 States must set targets using summary statements States must report data to public by locality * See http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~eco/assets/docs/proposed_summary_statements.doc for more information on recommended targets

14. 14 Summary statements for target setting States set targets for two sets of progress data These sets of progress data are referred to as ‘summary statements’ Summary statements were developed so that states would not have to set 15 targets for child outcomes!

15. 15 Summary Statement 1 Of those children who entered the program below age expectations in the Outcome Area, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they exit the program. Progress categories c + d

16. 16 Summary Statement 2 The percent of children who are functioning within age expectations in the Outcome Area by the time they exit the program. Progress categories d + e

17. State decisions and activities

18. 18 WHY collect outcomes data? (state version) To respond to federal reporting requirements To have data for program improvement and to respond to federal reporting requirements Purpose

19. 19 WHY collect outcomes data? (local version) To respond to state reporting requirements To have data for program improvement and to respond to state reporting requirements Purpose

20. 20 State approaches Most states have embraced outcomes measurement and are collecting outcomes data for their own purposes Many states are building bigger systems than needed to produce the federal data Go to www.the-eco-center.org for more information about what other states are doing

21. 21 How are states collecting child outcomes data? Possible state approaches to collection of child data –Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF) About 70% of state Part C programs About 60% of state 619 programs –Single assessment statewide –Publishers’ online assessment systems –Other approaches

22. 22 Number of children included in Feb 09 SPP/APR data Part C <30 = 3 states 30-99= 11 states 100-499= 25 states 500-999= 6 states 1000+ = 10 states Preschool <30 = 3 states 30-99 = 9 states 100-499= 13 states 500-999= 10 states 1000+ = 21 states

23. 23 Assessment tool trends Part C –HELP –BDI-2 –AEPS –Carolina –ELAP Preschool –Creative Curriculum –BDI-2 –Brigance –AEPS –High Scope –Work Sampling

24. Draft 24 Part C and Preschool Average Percentage of Children in Each Category Outcome 1: Social/Emotional

25. Draft25 Part C and Preschool Average Percentage of Children in Each Category Outcome 2: Knowledge/Skills

26. Draft 26 Part C and Preschool Average Percentage of Children in Each Category Outcome 3: Getting Needs Met Daft

27. Draft 27 NC Part C progress data 2/09 Outcome 1: Social/Emotional

28. Draft 28 NC Part C progress data 2/09 Outcome 2: Knowledge/Skills

29. Draft 29 NC Part C progress data 2/09 Outcome 3: Getting needs met

30. 30 Caution: It’s too early to put meaning on the data Most states are focusing on improving the quality of the data collection