eNotes
February 16, 2024Updates from the ECTA Center
IDEA Part C Early Intervention Family Survey Data for Federal Fiscal Year 2021
States collect family data on the percentage of families who report that early intervention (EI) has helped their family know their rights, effectively communicate their child's needs, and help them help their child develop and learn. IDEA Part C Early Intervention Family Survey Data for FFY 2021 shares how states collect data from families, what the Part C data show, national family survey data trends, and the ways that programs use the family data to improve their practices. In addition to reporting these data to OSEP, state and local programs use family survey data in combination with other programmatic data to inform their decisions and improve systems and services.
Response Rate and Representativeness Calculator
The Family Outcomes Response Rate and Representativeness Calculator allows state staff to easily compute response rates for their IDEA Part C family survey data and determine if these data are representative of the target population. This is an important step in data analysis and subsequent interpretation. Developed by the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center Family Outcomes Team, the calculator uses statistical formulas to determine if the overall distribution of survey responses across subgroups is similar to the distribution of those subgroups in the population. This new version includes important new features, improved layout, and enhanced calculations.
News from the Field
Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA
New guidance on Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA helps increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) requirements for assistive technology (AT) devices and services. These resources from the Office of Educational Technology (OET) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) also dispel common AT misconceptions and provide examples of how to use AT devices and services for children with disabilities. Providing children with disabilities with the tools needed to succeed can help break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable educational system for all.
Step Up AT
Step Up AT coaches teachers, teacher assistants, teacher support specialists, school districts, and other agencies to adopt evidence-based assistive technology (AT) practices. This evidence-based, customizable program helps improve early literacy outcomes for young children (ages 3-5) who have disabilities.
- Early Literacy Training Courses provide easy-to-understand AT basics for both veteran and novice early educators.
- Guided Learning at Home is a video series that helps families promote early literacy at home.
Additional videos are available on the Step Up AT YouTube Channel.
Child Maltreatment 2022
The Child Maltreatment 2022 report provides the latest national data on what is happening for children who are the subject of a child protective services (CPS) investigation or CPS alternative response in the United States. Approximately 60 data tables and exhibits, such as characteristics of victims and non-victims, services to prevent maltreatment and assist children and families, and fatalities that occurred as a result of maltreatment are included in the report.
March of Dimes Report 2023
The 2023 March of Dimes Report Card highlights the collective factors that contribute to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the United States (U.S.), Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Since 2008, March of Dimes has released this report to educate and advocate for better mom and baby outcomes. The report card indicates the U.S. preterm birth rate remains alarmingly high with data revealing persistent racial disparities across key maternal and infant health indicators. The data continues a larger trend over the last decade that has pushed the preterm birth rate to record highs. Since last year’s report, 14 states have seen an increase in preterm birth, potentially due to factors such as inadequate prenatal care, greater rates of hypertension, and higher proportions of birthing women at an unhealthy weight.
Research
A 100-Year Review of Research on Black Families
Child Trends' A 100-year Review of Research on Black Families report explores the ways social science research on Black families has changed over 10 decades. Organized into two volumes, Volume 1: 1920 to 1969 and Volume II: 1970 to 2019, the report considers each era’s social, political, and economic contexts to use the past to develop lessons for the future. A key goal of the review is to inform the development of an applied research agenda focused on Black families with children that is appropriate for the 21st century.