ECO Resources: Professional Development Resources

Preparation for Training

General Topics

Why Collect Outcomes Data?

This section provides background information for those new to outcomes measurement. Learners will:

  • understand the current requirements and the historical roots of federal accountability
  • understand the various purposes and uses of outcomes measurement

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • PPT slides as handouts
  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities

Understanding The Three Child Outcomes

This section provides an in-depth description of the three child outcomes and the functional nature of the outcomes for the introductory learner. Learners will:

  • understand the development of the three child outcomes
  • understand the content of the three child outcomes
  • differentiate among the three child outcomes
  • differentiate between functional outcomes and discrete skills

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • PPT slides as handouts
  • Functional Outcomes
  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities)

Assessing the Three Child Outcomes

This section presents information about recommended practices for functional assessment and crosswalks for the introductory or intermediate learner. Learners will:

  • understand the use of formal assessment instruments for measuring child outcomes
  • differentiate between evaluation for eligibility purposes and functional assessment of the three outcome areas for accountability purposes

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • PPT slides as handouts
  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities)

COSF Topics

The Child Outcome Summary Form (COSF)

This topic introduces the COSF and the 7-point rating scale. It also covers essential knowledge for teams using the COSF. Intended for introductory learners who are new to the COSF, but also for intermediate learners who need a 'refresher' on the use of the 7-point rating scale. Learners will:

  • understand the rationale for using the COSF
  • differentiate between the a and b questions on the COSF
  • differentiate between the 7 points on the rating scale
  • differentiate among age-appropriate, immediate foundational, and foundational skills and behaviors

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

Practice Using the COSF Rating Scale

This section focuses on the team process used to determine a rating on the COSF 7-point scale. Intended as an introduction for learners who are new to the COSF or as a 'refresher' for intermediate learners. Learners will:

  • differentiate among the three child outcomes
  • understand how a rating is determined by a team
  • understand the role of information about the child's functioning across settings and situations in determining a rating
  • understand the role of age-expected child development in determining a rating
  • understand the role of the family in the team rating

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities

Refresher

Background on federal and state requirements; review of COSF

This section re-visits the reasons for collecting outcomes data, the three child outcomes, assessment, and the use of the COSF. For intermediate or advanced learners who need a general 'refresher.' Learners will:

  • understand the current requirements and the historical roots of federal accountability
  • understand the various purposes and uses of outcomes measurement
  • understand the content of the three child outcomes
  • differentiate among the three child outcomes
  • differentiate between the 7 points on the rating scale
  • differentiate among age-appropriate, immediate foundational, and foundational skills and behaviors

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

Involving Families in the COSF Process

This topic is for all learners at all levels and addresses the role of families in the COSF process and strategies for involving them. Learners will:

Objectives for this session are for the learner to:

  • Understand the role of the family in the team rating
  • Understand how to evaluate a team discussion for quality as relates to family participation

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

COSF Quality Assurance

This section provides guidance for checking the quality of the COSF process. For intermediate or advanced learners, particularly those who supervise COSF users or are otherwise responsible for assuring the quality of COSF data. Learners will:

  • Understand key considerations related to accurately completing the COSF
  • Understand how to evaluate a team discussion for quality
  • Understand how to evaluate completed child outcomes summary forms for accuracy

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • PPT slides as handout
  • Table explaining federal reporting categories (document)
  • COSF to progress categories
  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities

Looking at Data

This topic covers child outcomes data analysis and use. For intermediate or advanced learners, particularly those who are responsible for or interested in data management, interpretation, and reporting. Learners will:

  • Understand child outcomes data for program improvement, including for instruction, resource allocation, and professional development

Trainer Information and Resources

Suggested Activities:

Suggested Participant Materials

  • PPT slides as handouts
  • Additional handouts included with suggested activities

Activities

Professional Development Training Activities