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Improving Systems, Practices, and Outcomes

Child Outcomes Data Use

This section provides resources to help state and local programs in making regular use of outcomes data to improve programs. Key elements of the optimal use of data include:

  • Utilizing a local and/or state stakeholder process to consider the implications of child, family, and other data, and to identify needed program improvements.
  • Developing a comprehensive plan for using data based on stakeholder interpretation of the data, knowledge of effective practices, principles of systems change, evaluation of previous improvement activities, and available resources.
  • Identifying programs for targeted support and working to jointly develop action plans.
  • Identifying statewide targets for improvement.
  • Developing policies or guidance addressing local program responsibilities with regard to use of data.
  • Implementing and evaluating program improvement activities on a regular basis.

Changes in State Child Outcomes Data

Year-to-Year Changes in State Child Outcomes Data: What Do They Mean? (2018)

Interpreting year-to-year change in statewide child outcomes data requires understanding the possible reasons for fluctuations. This brief is designed to help stakeholders learn what questions to ask to understand year-to-year changes in child outcomes data.

Child Outcomes Reports

DaSy's Child Outcomes Reports provide a means to access a variety of child outcomes data reports that states have produced for their local programs. A description of the types of data and charts is included with each report.

SSIP Child Outcomes Templates

SSIP Child Outcomes Broad Data Analysis Template (2014)

This document looks at how children in the state are performing relative to national data, across years, within the state, and by comparisons across programs within the state. Uses data from current APR reporting.

SSIP Child Outcomes Subgroup Analysis Template (2014)

This document provides states with table shells for subgroup analyses that have proven useful in understanding predictors of child outcomes. These shells are suggestions and should be tailored to fit the appropriate categories for your state.

Guidance Table for Analyzing Child Outcomes Data for Program Improvement

This guidance table is designed to help identify key issues, questions, and approaches for analyzing and interpreting data on outcomes for young children with disabilities. The tool outlines a series of steps related to defining analysis questions, clarifying expectations, analyzing data, testing inferences, and conducting data-based program improvement planning. It also includes examples of questions, approaches, and sample figures to consider.

Local Contributing Factor Tool

This tool was designed to assist local programs in collecting valid and reliable data to determine contributing factors impacting performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators. The latest addition to the existing tool is a section of drill down questions focused on child outcomes, indicator C3/B7, which provide ideas for the types of questions a local team would consider in identifying factors impacting performance.

Child Outcomes Drill Questions for C3/B7

This document provides ideas for the types of questions a local team would consider in identifying factors impacting performance. General questions that are applicable to all indicators are included as well as questions specific to each indicator. Suggested questions are categorized into two main areas:

  • Systems/Infrastructure
  • Providers/Practice

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of questions. Some questions are designed to determine adequacy of local agency management and oversight while others are geared for gathering information from practitioners and about practices. Data collected from this investigation should be used to identify contributing factors that relate to program infrastructure, policies and procedures, funding, training and technical assistance, supervision, data, personnel and practices. These factors, once identified, can lead to the development of meaningful strategies for improvement. Based upon the results of the investigation and analysis of data, it is expected that strategies would only be developed in those areas impacting current performance.