Self-Directed Learning
This page provides mini training sessions on a variety of child and family outcomes related topics. Each session is a short, stand-alone piece suitable for self-paced online learning. These sessions may be reviewed by individuals as an orientation to a new topic, or to refresh existing knowledge and skills. The content is suitable for providers, administrators, stakeholders and families.
See also: Child Outcomes Data Use
Overview to Child and Family Outcomes
Why Collect Outcomes Data?
This session provides background information for those new to outcomes measurement. The session provides an understanding of the historical roots of federal accountability, the current requirements, and the various purposes and uses of outcomes measurement. (6 min.)
Child Outcomes
Understanding The Child Outcomes
This introductory session provides a description of the three child outcomes. It is designed for learners to understand the development and content of the three child outcomes, differentiate among the three child outcomes, and differentiate between functional outcomes and discrete skills. (5 min.)
Video: Child Outcomes: Step by Step
This video describes and illustrates the three child outcomes, offering a consistent way to describe the outcome areas across programs and states. It can be used for professional development and training, orienting families, and introducing the outcomes to policymakers or funders. (9 min.)
Video: Supporting Children by Improving Family Outcomes
All programs that serve young children and their families can improve outcomes for children by making a difference for their families. This video describes the importance of supporting families, collecting data on family outcomes, and using the data to improve the program. Using the family data collected by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education's Part C/Early Intervention Program as an example, this video highlights how three families who received early intervention benefitted from support to their family. This video is a companion to the video Child Outcomes: Step-By-Step. (13 min.)
Assessing the Three Child Outcomes
This session is designed for the introductory or intermediate learner. Information presented includes recommended practices for functional assessment and crosswalks. Learners will understand the use of formal assessment instruments for measuring child outcomes, and differentiate between evaluation for the purposes of eligibility vs. accountability. (6 min.)
Integration of Outcomes and IFSP/IEP Processes
Introduction to IFSP-IEP integration (2011)
This session provides an overview to the processes of integrating IFSP-IEP and outcomes, based on work from across ECO, NECTAC, and a number of early childhood professionals interested in these processes. Recent work is also highlighted. (17 min.)
Child Development
Understanding Young Children's Development
These three narrated modules were developed by training personnel in Illinois based on content developed by the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The modules correspond to the three child outcome areas and are focused on identifying age-appropriate skills among children zero to three:
- Part 1: A Focus on Positive Social Emotional Skills (26 min.)
- Part 2: A Focus on Children's Acquisition and Use of Knowledge and Skills (25 min.)
- Part 3: A Focus on Taking Appropriate Action to Meet Needs (24 min.)
Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Process and Form
Converting COS Data to OSEP Progress Categories / Summary Statements
Learn how the information from the 7-point Child Outcomes Summary (COS) scale is converted to the child outcomes progress categories and summary statements that states report annually to the federal government.