An Introduction to the Desired Results for Families of Preschoolers with IEPs

You may have recently heard the words “Desired Results” or the letters “DRDP” from your child’s teachers. Read on to find out what they mean to you and your child.

What is the Desired Results System? The Desired Results System is a project of the California Department of Education. It helps make sure that you and your child benefit from its services and it helps programs improve their quality.

What does DRDP mean? The letters “DRDP” stand for the “Desired Results Developmental Profile.” The DRDP is an assessment tool that is part of the Desired Results System. The DRDP helps the California Department of Education evaluate its programs for young children.

How does the DRDP work? The DRDP helps teachers to document children’s progress in areas such as learning, getting along with others, and being safe and healthy. Knowing how well children are progressing helps the California Department of Education understand how well its programs are doing.

Who is the DRDP for? The DRDP has been used for several years to review child development programs for children birth through 13 years old. In the spring of 2007, the California Department of Education will start using the DRDP with 3, 4, and 5 year-old children who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for preschool services. By including preschool children with IEPs, the California Department of Education can make sure that its programs are working for all of the children it serves.

What are the assessment tools? There are two assessment tools for children with IEPs. The first tool, the PS DRDP-R (this stands for the Preschool Desired Results Developmental Profile-Revised), looks at children’s development from age three to kindergarten. The second tool, the DRDP access, looks at children’s development from birth to kindergarten. If your child’s development is best described from age three to kindergarten, then the PS DRDP-R will be used. If your child’s development is best described within a broader age range, then the DRDP access will be used. You, along with the other members of the IEP team, will decide which tool will be best for your child. Once the best tool is chosen for your child, it will be completed twice a year, in the fall and in the spring.

How does the DRDP work for preschool-age children with IEPs? The DRDP assessment is based on observations of your child in typical, everyday activities with familiar people. Any adaptations that your child uses every day such as a walker or special communication device will be used to help your child participate in the assessment. Your child’s special education service provider is responsible for completing the DRDP. You and your child’s other teachers might be asked to share observations of the skills that your child is learning.

How might families participate in the assessment? Family members might take part in the assessment in a variety of ways, and it is up to you to decide how you want to participate. Here are examples of some of the ways that you choose to be involved:

• As a member of the IEP team, helping to decide which DRDP tool will best describe your child’s progress.
• As a member of the IEP team, helping to determine which adaptations will support your child’s access to everyday activities, settings, and materials.
• Sharing with service providers what you see your child doing in different activities and places; you might share photos, drawings, observations, and stories.
• Talking with your child’s service providers about areas of strength, areas you wish to focus on, and areas of progress that you see in your child.
• Talking about the results of the DRDP in IEP meetings and other parent conferences.
• Helping to plan the next steps for your child’s learning and development.
• Talking with your service providers about the adaptations that your child uses every day (at home, at school, and in other settings) to make sure they are in place for the DRDP observations.

What are the benefits of the Desired Results System? The Desired Results System has many benefits.

• You will know that your child’s programs are closely following and supporting your child’s growth and learning. You will also know more about your child’s development and ways that you can support your child’s learning.
• Teachers will have up-to-date information to help them plan your child’s learning activities.
• Programs will have information that will help them to improve their services.
• The California Department of Education can make sure that its programs are high in quality and are making a real difference for children and families.
• California will be able to report to the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs on the progress of preschool children with IEPs (the names of children, teachers, and programs are not included in federal reports).

To learn more about the Desired Results Developmental Profile Assessment System:

• Talk with your child’s special education teacher or program administrator.
• Visit the Desired Results access Project web site at: http://www.draccess.org.
• Call the Desired Results access Project at (707) 227-2735 or email us at: info@draccess.org.

 

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Updated 04/29/08