Welcome to the Child Outcomes Summary Tutorial

Measuring results for children who participate in early intervention programs is a major initiative throughout the United States intended to identify and understand how young children benefit from these supports and services. Early intervention recognizes that parents and other key caregivers are the primary teachers of young children. Therefore, Maryland’s Infants and Toddlers programs support families and caregivers in gaining the competence and confidence needed to help their children learn. Early interventionists work in partnership with parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities to enhance their children’s development and learning through everyday activities that are meaningful to the child and family. Additionally, these programs at both the local and State levels utilize child outcomes data as the basis for continuous program improvement efforts. To understand how children benefit from early intervention and preschool special education, The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs has adopted three early childhood outcomes that were developed by national experts. They are:

                        1. Children have positive social relationships;

                        2. Children acquire and use knowledge and skills; and

                        3. Children take action to meet their needs.

Maryland utilizes the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process developed by the Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) Center to measure results for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers participating in early intervention programs (i.e., children receiving services via an IFSP). This mechanism includes a review of each child’s abilities related to the three early childhood outcomes, compiled at entry into early intervention and at transition or exit from the program.

Purpose of the Tutorial

Engaging in the COS process helps local birth through five programs understand how early intervention is making a difference for children and families receiving support and services. Additionally, this process assists IFSP teams with focusing on functional, integrated skill development. The intent of this online learning tutorial is to help you understand and be successful with measuring early childhood outcomes results. As you progress through the tutorial's sections, there are several examples and self-check activities. At the conclusion of the tutorial, you will have the opportunity to complete a culminating activity. You are encouraged to refer back to the tutorial over time as an ongoing resource.

Acknowledgements

With permission, the contents of the tutorial are based on adaptations of the work of the Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) Center and Naomi Younggren with the U.S. Army Medical Command, Educational and Developmental Interventions Services. Funding was provided through a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs IDEA Part C grant awarded to the Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

Special thanks to the members of Maryland’s Child Outcomes Summary/IFSP Integration Workgroup (listed below) for contributing feedback throughout the tutorial development process:

• Patti Adkins (Wicomico County)
• Karen Boulden (Cecil County)
• Anne Brager (formerly Frederick County)
• Sally Chapman (Baltimore County)
• Debbie Crosby (St. Mary's County)
• Tody Hairston-Fuller (Baltimore City)
• Brenda Hussey-Gardner (The University of Maryland)
• Mary Anne Leginus (Prince George's County)
• Lynne Markowitz (Anne Arundel County)
• Pam Miller (Maryland State Deptartment of Education)
• Annette Nelms (Howard County)
• Amy Nicholas (Johns Hopkins University)
• Rich Wilkinson (Cecil County)

Experiencing Technical Difficulties?

If you require technical support, please complete this online form or call 443-872-9265. Support is available 24/7.

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