Key Terms
ECO data collected and reported within 60 days of the child’s Initial Plan (IFSP/IEP) Meeting Date.
Entry ECO
What is the process for determining the child outcome rating for each indicator?
The responsible team member and the family member or caregiver should use part of a typical intervention session to collect the child outcome data. Refer to the handout, Determining ECO Ratings with the Decision Tree, for more details.
Who should collect child outcome data?
One member of the IFSP/IEP service delivery team shall be assigned the responsibility for coordinating the collection of child outcome data with the family and other team members. Infant toddler and preschool early intervention programs are responsible for developing and implementing procedures for selecting the responsible team member.
When should child outcome data be collected?
All eligible infants, toddlers, and preschoolers should have child outcome data collected at their entry to and exit from the early intervention program.
When are children included in the measurement of child outcomes?
All infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in the early intervention program should have child outcome data collected on all three indicators at their entry to and exit from the early intervention program.
ECO data, including OSEP-reported categories, collected, and entered within 60 days prior to the child’s anticipated exit from the Infant/Toddler or Preschool Early Intervention program.
Exit ECO
Can I use the Decision Tree alone to determine the child outcome rating or do I need to use an authentic assessment tool?
No.
The Decision Tree should not be used alone without any supporting information about the child’s skills and behaviors. An authentic assessment tool must be used to gather progress information on the child.
Does the same person have to collect both entry and exit data?
No. While having the same person collect the child outcome data can provide an additional layer of data reliability, this is often not possible. There may be several years between when entry and exit data are collected, the services and supports provided through the IEP/IFSP may change, or the early intervention staff person who collected the entry data may have moved, retired or changed jobs. The most reliable data will be obtained when the person collecting that data is familiar with the child, has gathered accurate information on the child’s skills through the use of an authentic assessment tool, and is knowledgeable about the child outcome indicators.
Does the term “days” refer to calendar or school days?
All references to “days” are calendar days.
What ECO/ authentic assessment tool does CMSU use/require?
The OUNCE Scale.
A PELICAN EI generated identifier that is used to associate ECO data with a child when utilizing an online assessment tool to send data to PELICAN EI.
• This number is critical to match online assessment data with the child’s record in PELICAN EI
• This is generated for all children once their initial plan is finalized.
Outcome ID
Do programs need to measure progress on all three outcome indicators even when the outcome indicator is not an area of concern?
Yes. Regardless of the child’s strengths and needs, progress should be measured on all the child outcome indicators.
Should the team member responsible for reporting the child outcome data set up a specific appointment to measure progress?
No, the collection of child outcome data should be integrated into the normal service delivery activities and discussion. The reporting of child progress data is part of the ongoing progress monitoring that is completed with every child. It should be gathered as part of the early intervention services or program day in which the child and family participate. The discussion of the child’s developmental level or progress should occur as part of a service visit or program day; a separate meeting is not needed. It is not completed or billed as a separate evaluation or therapy session.
Where do agencies/therapists get paper copies of the child outcome data collection forms?
All forms and information needed to collect child outcome data can be found on the Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) portal at www.eita-pa.org. Look for Early Childhood Outcomes link under the Topics of Interest tab.
What are the dates that we should use to determine if the child has received at least 6 months of service?
The timeline to determine if the child has received at least 6 months of service should start at the date of the development of the child’s IFSP/IEP. In the PELICAN EI system, compare the Plan Creation Date with the Case Closure Date to determine if the child has received at least 6 months of service.
Three outcomes that are considered critical to children becoming active and successful participants across a variety of settings. All states are required to report this to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on these child outcomes:
• Positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships)
• Acquisition and use of knowledge and skills (including early language/communication and early literacy for Preschoolers)
• Use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs.
ECO or Early Childhood Outcomes
How do we rate child outcomes at entry and exit?
For each of the three child outcome indicators, a 1 – 7 rating of the child’s current performance is required. You can find additional information on how to rate the child using this scale on the EITA portal at www.eita-pa.org. Look for Early Childhood Outcomes link under the Topics of Interest tab.
A child was enrolled in the infant toddler early intervention program, received at least 6 months of service but then moved into the tracking program. Do we need to collect exit data?
Exit data should be collected on a child who has been in early intervention for at least 6 months and then who exits early intervention by moving to the tracking program. In a similar example, if a child receives services in the tracking program and then enrolls in early intervention services, you would want to collect entry data on that child because they are “new” to the early intervention system.
Can a child be performing at age appropriate levels on all three outcomes and still be eligible for early intervention services?
Yes, progress should be measured in all three outcome indicators for all children. A child may meet eligibility for early intervention and still be at age appropriate levels on the child outcomes. For example, an infant with Down syndrome may be at levels comparable to typical peers on each of the child outcome indicators but yet is eligible for early intervention. Remember, the assessment of a child’s progress, as measured by ECO data, is not related to the determination of eligibility.
Do we need to collect exit data on a child who “disappears”?
It is always better to collect exit data if you have an opportunity to do it. However, OCDEL recognizes in some instances, the child and family may move or leave the early intervention program with no notice. In instances where the early intervention program did not anticipate that the child would be leaving the program and it is not feasible for the responsible team member to collect the data, exit data does not need to be collected. Instances where exit data was not collected should be very infrequent.
A tool that relies on natural observations of a child’s functional skills and abilities with familiar adults in everyday settings and routines. This is not a something that relies on contrived situations, interactions with adults who are unfamiliar to the child, and/or nonfunctional items.
Authentic Assessment Tool
What should I share with parents about child outcome data?
The child outcome data should be shared with the family in the same way you share all progress information.
Where in Pelican do I find if I am responsible to complete the ECO?
Services Page of the IFSP
When do I need to collect a new point of entry data on a child who is re-entering early intervention?
If it has been 6 months or more since the child’s exit from the early intervention program, collect new entry data. Since the child has not received early intervention services in a long time, you will be collecting child outcome data as if this was the first time the child entered early intervention. If “old” entry and exit data exists in PELICAN EI, the data should be deleted.
If it has been less than 6 months since the child’s exit from the Early Intervention program, new entry data is not needed. The exit data collected at the child’s exit from the Early Intervention program should be deleted. You are collecting child outcome data as if the child had not left Early Intervention.
For an infant who was born prematurely, should I compare their skills to a child who is the same corrected age or chronological age?
When collecting child outcome data on premature infants, use the child’s chronological age when comparing his/her skills to the skills of same-age peers.