Pilot Study of the DRDP access for Infants and Toddlers
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Background
Thank you for your interest in our pilot study of the DRDP access. This pilot study examines the use of the DRDP access for infants and toddlers and is a two-year involving two groups of children: those served through Early Start/Part C programs and those in general early childhood programs. Programs volunteering to participate in the study are involved for either a one or two year phase of the pilot. In the past, the Desired Results assess Project has significantly benefited from the support and assistance of programs across the state for our research activities.
Study Purpose
The primary purposes of this study are to:
- Better understand the extent to which the DRDP access can provide valid and reliable data for infants and toddlers;
- Assure that the DRDP access is adequate to measure progress made by infants and toddlers;
- Assure that the DRDP access is a meaningful and acceptable instrument for children served by Early Start/Part C services;
- Assess children without disabilities using the DRDP access – which is important for planning for children who have disabilities.
Design of the Study
The study began in the fall of 2010 and ends in spring of 2012. Those participating in the study are completing assessments on the same children over the course of the study. Assessment periods take place twice each year. For the two year study, assessors are completing assessments, beginning with one or two infants who are birth to 12 months of age in year one, and adding one or two toddlers who are 18 to 36 months of age in year two. For the one year study, assessors will complete two assessments per child for the same infants and toddlers, once in the fall and once in the spring.
The DRDP access is an authentic observational assessment tool. The DRDP access has been designed to assess the development of children birth-to-five years of age and is currently used by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division, to assess children receiving special education services between 3 and 5 years of age. The purpose of the DRDP access is to assess child development across a range of areas and contains many similar Measures as the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP© 2010).
The DRDP access assessment takes place during the assessor's typical visits with the child and family and in the service setting in which the child receives services. The assessment involves observing the child and family engaging in typical activities and routines. The assessment may also involve talking with the family, caregivers, or other service providers about the child's skills and abilities to prepare for this study, assessors participate in a training session and have access to online materials. Assessors then use the DRDP access over the course of four to six for a selected group of children. Assessors assess these children again after six months. Assessors participating in the two-year study repeat assessments every six months for a total of four assessment periods.
Study Timeline
| PILOT STUDY TIMELINE | |
|---|---|
| YEAR 1 | |
| Aug, 2010 | 2 Year Study Assessors receive introductory materials |
| Sept, 2010 | Attend training |
| Oct-Nov, 2010 | Assess infants with the DRDP access |
| Nov, 2010 | Submit data |
| March, 2011 | Participate in a web conference |
| April-May, 2011 | Reassess infants with the DRDP access |
| YEAR 2 | |
| Sept, 2011 | Assessors 1 Year Study: receive introductory materials |
| 2 Year Assessors: Participate in a web conference | |
| Oct-Nov, 2011 | Conduct DRDP access assessments
|
| March, 2012 | Participate in a web conference |
| April-May, 2012 | Complete final DRDP access assessments
|
Assessor Responsibilities
The Desired Results access Project provides assessors with information about the study to familiarize participants with the relevant research materials. The primary responsibilities for each assessor include:
- Providing consent to participate in the study;
- Obtaining consent from family members of children who will be assessed during the study (note: a consent form prepared by the Desired Results access Project will be provided);
- Completing assessments as scheduled for each child selected for the study;
- Submitting completed assessment materials to the Desired Results access Project.
Each assessor is provided with a Checklist of Assessor Responsibilities to assist in organizing the research activities and completing the necessary tasks for the study. Additionally, a member of the Desired Results access Project research team will be available to assist assessors throughout the course of the study when questions arise.
Additional Information
All materials will be provided for assessors by the Desired Results access Project. Training on the DRDP access will be held prior to assessors collecting data. All assessment data will be mailed to the Desired Results access Project using provided postage-paid envelopes. Additionally, online training modules and materials are made available to all those who participate in the pilot.
For any questions regarding this Study, please feel free to contact Pilot Study Director Steve Lohrer, PhD, at (707) 586-9478 or steve@draccess.org.
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Last updated: 03/19/2012