Outcomes 101: ECO Q&A
return to Q&A HomeQ. Why are states measuring outcomes for programs serving young children with disabilities?
A. In this age of accountability, policymakers are asking questions about the outcomes achieved by programs supported by public funds. Judging the effectiveness of any program requires looking at results, not simply at the process. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education now requires states to report outcomes data for children served through Part C and Part B Preschool of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as part of their Annual Performance Report. Many states plan to use data on child and family outcomes to improve their programs in addition to providing the required information to the federal government.