The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requires each state, including the District of Columbia, to report annually on 20 performance measures outlined in the State Performance Plan. Indicator 7 relates to early childhood outcomes; OSSE must collect and report child-level progress data from preschool local education agencies (LEA) special education programs in the areas of positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships), acquisition and use of knowledge and skills, and use of appropriate behaviors by the child to meet his or her needs.
Beginning in 2009, all LEA preschool programs providing services under IDEA, Part B were required to use the Child Outcomes Summary Process (COS) to measure the required outcomes outlined above. Programs are required to collect and report performance data within 90 days of a child's entry into a preschool program, and within 60 days prior to a child's exit. Entry and exit data must be reported to OSSE on a rolling basis in the DC CATS system.
As data is entered on a rolling basis, OSSE conducts bi-annual data verification checks to ensure that all preschool students who receive special education services ages 3-5 have COS scores entered into the system. OSSE will follow up with each LEA via email to discuss any discrepancies with the data. If you have questions or would like more information about the COS process, please email [email protected]