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The Fun Stuff: Using the Data. Using data for program improvement = EIA. E vidence I nference A ction. Evidence. Evidence refers to the numbers, such as “45% of children in category b” The numbers are not debatable. Inference. How do you interpret the #s?
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The Fun Stuff: Using the Data Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Using data for program improvement = EIA Evidence Inference Action Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Evidence • Evidence refers to the numbers, such as “45% of children in category b” • The numbers are not debatable Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Inference • How do you interpret the #s? • What can you conclude from the #s? • Does evidence mean good news? Bad news? News we can’t interpret? • To reach an inference, sometimes we analyze data in other ways (ask for more evidence) Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Inference • Inference is debatable -- even reasonable people can reach different conclusions from the same set of numbers • Stakeholder involvement can be helpful in making sense of the evidence Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Action • Given the inference from the numbers, what should be done? • Recommendations or action steps • Action can be debatable – and often is • Another role for stakeholders Early Childhood Outcomes Center
What can we infer? • Poll results A: • Candidate I.M. Good 51%, Candidate R.U. Kidding 49% (+ or – 3%) • Poll results B: • Candidate I.M. Good 56%, Candidate R.U. Kidding 44% (+ or – 3%) Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Program improvement: Where and how • At the state level – TA, policy • At the regional or local level – supervision, guidance • Classroom level -- spend more time on certain aspects of the curriculum • Child level -- modify intervention Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Key points • Evidence refers to the numbers and the numbers by themselves are meaningless • Inference is attached by those who read (interpret) the numbers • You have the opportunity and obligation to attach meaning Early Childhood Outcomes Center
E – I – A Jeopardy $100 $100 $100 $200 $200 $200 $300 $300 $300 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Use of Data Activity Evidence-Inference-Action Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Continuous Program Improvement Reflect Are we where we want to be? Check (Collect and analyze data) Plan (vision) Program characteristics Child and family outcomes Implement Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Tweaking the System Is there a problem? Reflect Are we where we want to be? Why is it happening? Is it working? What should be done? Check (Collect and analyze data) Plan (vision) Program characteristics Child and family outcomes Implement Is it being done? Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Continuous means… ….the cycle never ends. Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Outcome questions for program improvement, e.g. Who has good outcomes = • Do outcomes vary by • Region of the state? • Level of functioning at entry? • Services received? • Age at entry to service? • Type of services received? • Family outcomes? • Education level of parent? Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Examples of process questions • Are ALL services high quality? • Are ALL children and families receiving ALL the services they should in a timely manner? • Are ALL families being supported in being involved in their child’s program? • What are the barriers to high quality services? Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Working Assumptions • There are some high quality services and programs being provided across the state. • There are some children who are not getting the highest quality services. • If we can find ways to improve those services/programs, these children will experience better outcomes. Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Numbers as a tool Heard on the street • “Why are we reducing children to a number?” • So why do we need numbers? Early Childhood Outcomes Center
+35,000 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
+700,000 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Examining COSF data at one time point • One group - Frequency Distribution • Tables • Graphs • Comparing Groups • Graphs • Averages Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Distribution of COSF Ratings in Fall We are using fake data for illustration Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Frequency on Outcome 1 - Fall Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Frequency on Outcome 1 - Fall Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Comparison of two classes - Fall Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Frequency on Outcome 1 - Fall Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Frequency on Outcome 1 – Class 1 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Average Scores on Outcomes by Class – Fall, 2008 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Average Scores on Outcomes by Class – Fall, 2008 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Average Scores on Outcomes by Class – Fall, 2008 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Looking at change over time • Extent of change on rating scale • The OSEP categories • Developmental trajectories • Maintaining • Changing Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Extent of change on rating scale: Time 1 to Time 2 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Functioning 13 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry 14 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit 15 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit 16 Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Key Point • The OSEP categories describe types of progress children can make between entry and exit • Two COSF ratings (entry and exit) are needed to calculate what OSEP category describes a child progress Early Childhood Outcomes Center
e. % of children who maintain functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers Rated 6 or 7 at entry; AND Rated 6 or 7 at exit How changes in ratings on the COSF correspond to reporting categories a - e Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
d. % of children who improve functioning to reach a level comparable to same-aged peers Rated 5 or lower at entry; AND Rated 6 or 7 at exit How changes in ratings on the COSF correspond to reporting categories a - e Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
c. % of children who improved functioning to a level nearer to same aged peers, but did not reach it Rated higher at exit than entry; AND Rated 5 or below at exit How changes in ratings on the COSF correspond to reporting categories a - e Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
Entry Exit Early Childhood Outcomes Center
b. % of children who improved functioning, but not sufficient to move nearer to same aged peers Rated 5 or lower at entry; AND Rated the same or lower at exit; AND “Yes” on the progress question (b) How changes in ratings on the COSF correspond to reporting categories a - e Early Childhood Outcomes Center