Desired Results access Project
Research Activities 2007-2008

Peer Comparison Studies:
Improvement in Sensitivity and Precision of Growth Norms

Each year, the California Department of Education, Special Education Division is required to report to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the progress of preschool-age children with IEPs on three child outcomes defined by OSEP measured using the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP). This includes a comparison of the progress of children with disabilities to that of children without disabilities. Two years ago, the Desired Results access Project conducted a peer comparison study to collect data on children without disabilities from general early childhood education programs throughout California, including Child Development Division and Head Start programs. The purpose of this study was to calibrate the DRDP access and to determine the range of scores considered typical for 3, 4, and 5-year-old children.

The Desired Results access Project is conducting another peer comparison study in 2007-08. The Project trained 144 general education infant-toddler and preschool providers to collect DRDP access assessment data in fall 2007 and spring 2008, providing two data points on 850 children with typical development. For about 275 children, three data points will be collected. The purpose of the current study is to increase the sensitivity and precision of the growth norms by collecting data on children without disabilities across time.

The current peer comparison study has also introduced many early childhood programs to the Desired Results Developmental Profile access (DRDP access). Informing the field of early childhood in the use of the DRDP access for preschool-age children with IEPs should lead to a better understanding of the DRDP Assessment System for Special Education and increased collaboration between general education and special education programs utilizing the Desired Results System.

Special Education Desired Results System:
Improvement in Data Collection and Reporting

The SEDRS web-based data reporting system is being revised to enhance the functionality for its users. The revisions planned for 2007-08 will improve data input, system reports, and account management.

Data input revisions include:

• Option to upload data in bulk into the SEDRS system.
• Pre-population of the fields of the DRDP Information Page from data submitted through the California Special Education Management Information System (CASEMIS). Teachers and data entry clerks will no longer need to re-enter fields on the Information Page that remain unchanged.

System reports revisions include:

• Addition of a SEDRS Developmental Progress report for teachers that will chart the growth of preschool-age children with IEPs assessed on the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP).
• Addition of enhanced report management functionality.

The Desired Results access Project is committed to conducting research and evaluation activities that lead to data-informed improvements and enhancements to the DRDP Assessment System for Preschool Special Education. Please refer to the web site, www.draccess.org, for updates and new information.

 

Download printable PDF of this page (32kb)

 

Updated 02/28/08