Session 1: So What's This All About?

How do we know that early intervention and early childhood special education programs are making a difference? How do we know what needs to be improved to produce better outcomes for children and families? The answer to both of these questions requires good data on child outcomes. Having good data on child outcomes helps us know whether programs are effective and how to make them better.

This first session of the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Process Online Module provides an introduction to the COS process and how programs can use it to describe children's functioning in the three outcome areas. With good information about child outcomes, professionals at all levels are better positioned for sound decision-making and program improvement.

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will gain an understanding of:

• the three child outcomes;
• why outcomes data are collected and their importance for program improvement; and
• how to explain the importance of outcomes data to others, including families.

Reminder about the Cycle of Learning

Remember, it is recommended that you work through all sections of the cycle of learning to maximize your understanding of the content: Set-Up, Presentation, Just for Me, Assessment, and Wrap-Up. If you have forgotten the purpose of any of these sections, feel free to revisit What to Expect.