ECO Suggestions on Indicators C3 and B7

Kathy Hebbeler, ECOLynne Kahn, ECO/NECTAC

August 13, 2009

Take-home points for today

• The “change” in the measurement table involves 2 new calculations from data already being reported

• The change reduces the possible number of targets for these Indicators.

• The calculation described in the Indicator Measurement Table can be done by an ECO calculator.

• The “summary statements” provide data describing program effectiveness.

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Timeline

• February 2007 – states report data on indicators C3 and B7 for the first time

• February 2010 – states are to set targets for these indicators

C3 and B7: Three Child Outcomes

• Children have positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships)

• Children acquire and use knowledge and skills (including early language/communication [and early literacy])

• Children use appropriate behaviors to meet their needs

Reporting Categories (Measures) for C3 and B7

Percentage of children who: a. Did not improve functioningb. 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 itd. Improved functioning to reach a level comparable to

same-aged peerse. Maintained functioning at a level comparable to same-

aged peers3 outcomes x 5 “measures” = 15 numbers

The Problem

• Data reported includes– 5 progress categories – For each of 3 outcomes– Total of 15 numbers reported each year

• OSEP heard: Too many targets for one Indicator

• OSEP asked ECO for a recommendation

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The Solution

“Summary Statements”

(a way to reduce the data so states did not have to set 15 targets for the

indicator)

Broad input to develop the Summary Statements

• ECO presented options to states and ECO work groups via conference calls

• Posted on the ECO web site for comments• OSEP put the summary statements out for

public comment• Comments came in that were thoughtful, but not

necessarily consistent with one another

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• Paper documenting the process and alternatives considered on the ECO website

• Setting Targets for Child Outcomes

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The concepts are easier than the words or the formulas

• Summary Statement 1: How many children changed growth trajectories during their time in the program?

• Summary Statement 2: How many children were functioning like same aged peers when they left the program?

Illustration of 5 Possible Develomental Trajectories (i.e, the OSEP Reporting Categories)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56Age in Months

Sco

re

Maintained functioning comparable to age peers

Achieved functioning comparable to age peers

Moved nearer functioning comparable to age peers

Made progress; no change in trajectory

Did not make progress

The “change” to the Measurement Table=The Summary Statements

• Of those children who [entered the program] below age expectations in each Outcome, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program.

• The percent of children who were functioning within age expectations in each Outcome by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program.

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• Measurement for Summary Statement 1:

Percent = # of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (c) plus # of infants and toddlers reported in category (d) divided by [# of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (a) plus # of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (b) plus # of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (c) plus # of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (d)] times 100.

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Summary Statement 1

c + d_________________________

a+ b + c + dX 100

• Measurement for Summary Statement 2: Percent = # of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (d) plus [# of infants and toddlers reported in progress category (e) divided by the total # of infants and toddlers reported in progress categories (a) + (b) + (c) + (d) + (e)] times 100.

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Summary Statement 2

d + e_____________________________

a+ b + c + d + eX 100

A shortcut to the calculations

17Summary Statements Calculator -April 14, 2009

Example of State Indicator Data for 2008-2009

Positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships):

Number of

children

% of children

a. Percent of infants and toddlers who did not improve functioning

40 4

b. Percent of infants and toddlers who improved functioning but not sufficient to move nearer to functioning comparable to same-aged peers

150 15

c. Percent of infants and toddlers who improved functioning to a level nearer to same-aged peers but did not reach

270 27

d. Percent of infants and toddlers who improved functioning to reach a level comparable to same-aged peers

300 30

e. Percent of infants and toddlers who maintained functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers

240 24

Total N=1000 100%

SS1-What are we calculating??

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Prog cat

# %

a 40 4b 150 15c 270 27d 300 30e 240 24

760 (a, b, c, and d) or 76% of the children entered or exited the program functioning below age expectations

240 (e) or 24% of the children entered and exited functioning at age expectations

SS1 (continued)

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Prog cat

# %

a 40 4

b 150 15

c 270 27d 300 30e 240 24

570 (c and d) of the 760 (a, b, c, and d) changed their growth trajectories (made greater than expected progress)

270 +300= 570 760

= 75%

SS2-What are we calculating??

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Prog cat

# %

a 40 4

b 150 15

c 270 27

d 300 30e 240 24

300+240= 540 1000

= 54%

30% of the children reached age expectations by exit and 24% of the children entered and exited at age expectations

Summary Statement 1 is one type of evidence of program effectiveness

• Required Summary Statement 1:

Of those children who entered the program below age expectations in Outcome A, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they exited the program= 75%

•  75% of the children who were below age expectations made greater than expected gains in their social relationships, made substantial increases in their rates of growth. i.e. changed their growth trajectories

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Summary Statement 2 is another type of evidence of program effectiveness

• Required Summary Statement 2:

The percent of children who were functioning within age expectations in Outcome A when they exited the program= 54%

• 54% of the children were functioning like same age peers in their social relationships when they exited the program.

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Questions and comments?

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More Information re Target Setting

• Conference calls,

• Individualized TA

• Resources at

The-ECO-Center.org25

What else can we say?

• 96% of children participating in Part C made progress in their social relationships while they were enrolled.

• The 4% of children who did not make progress included children with the most severe disabilities and/or degenerative conditions. Can you describe them?

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• 24% of the children participating in Part C were functioning at age expectations at entry and at exit in their social relationships.

• Can you describe them?

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