Skip Navigation

Technical Assistance for Part C, Indicator 4

Use of the resources included on this site does not guarantee that the State’s performance or determination status under section 616(d), will improve for the next APR reporting period. Please note that State examples have not been vetted by OSEP for legal sufficiency.

Continuing work with each State’s Regional Resource Center (RRC) and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) is encouraged in order to further determine the nature of the technical assistance required to address areas in which the State needs assistance.

Investigative Questions for Part C, Indicator 4

For more in-depth conversation:

  1. What is your overall measurement approach for collecting and reporting family outcomes data?  e.g. 
    1. Who is included in the measurement, i.e. what population of families?
    2. If you are sampling, what is your sampling methodology?  Has your sampling plan been approved by OSEP?
    3. What measurement tool(s) are used?
    4. How often do you collect family outcomes data?
    5. What are the various ways the data are collected from families (by mail, online, by telephone, through the service coordinator, through the service provider, etc.)?
    6. What options are available for families who need assistance, such as a translation or an oral presentation, in order to respond to the survey?
    7. Who is responsible for gathering and compiling the family outcomes data (state, local, third-party, or shared responsibility)?  Describe the responsibilities of each. 
    8. If local programs collect data, how are the data reported to the State, and how are the data transmitted?  (e.g. programs submit data on paper quarterly to the State agency, data entered through online data system, etc.) 
    9. How do you assure families that their responses will be kept confidential?
  1. Do you have clear policies and procedures that guide administrators and practitioners in distributing family outcomes surveys to families?
  1. Do you have a training and TA infrastructure that supports administrators and service providers collecting the family outcomes data?
  1. What other quality assurance and monitoring procedures are in place to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the family outcomes data? 
  1. Do you have the appropriate data system elements for outcome data input and maintenance, and outcome data analysis?
  1. Do you have valid and reliable data available on this indicator?
    1. How are you ensuring that the families included in the data collection are representative of all the families you serve?
    2. How do you maximize the number of families who respond to the data collection tool?
  1. How are family outcome data analyzed and used in the State? 
    1. How are stakeholders involved in the interpretation of data? 
    2. What changes has the State made as a result of these data?


Original Word Document

Tools & Resources

The following resources explain the family outcomes measurement requirements for Part C, and provide guidance for reporting the family outcomes indicator on the SPP/APR.   In addition, there are links to the ECO Center and NCSEAM/DAC instruments developed for measuring family outcomes.

Explanation of Reporting Requirements

  • C 4 FAQs – This resource summarizes the frequently asked questions about family outcomes measurement can be found on the SPP/APR Calendar. 
  • C 4 Submission Checklist – This checklist is part of the OSEP package for reviewing SPP/APR indicator submissions.  It is intended to help provide consistency in the development of Part C Annual Performance Report (APR) performance and activities. 
  • Outcomes 101: ECO Q&A – The first question and the last two questions under “Outcomes and Federal Reporting” address the family outcome indicator.  A section on the “Family Outcomes Survey” describes the tool developed by the ECO Center for collecting family outcomes data for this indicator. 

Tools for Measuring Family Outcomes

  • Family Outcomes Survey  -- This instrument is one of the options States may choose to measure family outcomes.  It was developed by the ECO Center and has been translated into 11 different languages.
  • Parent/Family Involvement Survey –  This instrument is another option States may choose to measure family outcomes.  It was developed by the National Center for Special Education Accountability (NCSEAM), now part of the Data and Accountability Center (DAC).  

Guidance for Developing a System for Measuring Family Outcomes

  • ECO Resources on family outcomes - this web site has a number of publications by the Early Childhood Outcomes Center that relate to measuring family outcomes. 

 

Back to top