Resources to support evaluation and assessment practices throughout the early intervention process.
Evaluation and assessment practices are a critical component of early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. It involves a comprehensive and systematic evaluation and ongoing assessment of a child’s abilities, strengths, and challenges, as well as an assessment of the family’s needs and resources. The following resources can provide a good starting point for understanding and implementing effective evaluation and assessment practices in early intervention.
Homegrown Resources
Assessment Tip Sheet Series: A 7-part series of tip sheets developed to support a common understanding of assessment practices in the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program. Read time for each tip sheet: 5 minutes/ Watch time for each video: 2-3 minutes
Ongoing Child Assessment (OCA)
Eligibility Evaluation
- Eligibility Flowchart: An interactive flowchart of the eligibility determination process for the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program. Flowchart with linked resources: self-paced
- Evaluation Exploration Resources: A comprehensive document containing links to all of the resources used during the October 2023 Evaluation Exploration events. This document aims to serve as a convenient resource for you as you continue to explore your practices, evaluation tools, and plans for implementation or enhancement.Document with linked resources: self-paced
- Navigating Birth to 3 Program Evaluation and Assessment: Frequently Asked Questions: Your questions answered about evaluation and assessment in the Birth to 3 Program! Topics were gathered during discussion and exploration at the Evaluation Exploration events in 2023 and during Leadership Forums in January of 2024. Document – Read Time: 15 minutes
- Birth to 3 Program Operations Guide (Chapter 6: Evaluations and Chapter 7: Assessments): The Birth to 3 Program Operations Guide clarifies the program’s purpose and requirements and captures the relevant policies and procedures needed for local agencies to operationalize the program. Practice Guide: Read Time: 10 minutes
Approved Tool List
- Approved Tool List Background: Document sharing the background, process, and list of tools reviewed by the Research to Practice Project (R2PP) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for PD reimagine in the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program. Includes Approved Tool List spreadsheet. Document: Read Time: 5-10 minutes
- Approved Tool List Process: Video outlining the process of creating the Approved Tool List. Video – Watch Time: 5:35 minutes
- Approved Tool List: Frequently Asked Questions (pdf): A compilation of questions/answers that were gathered from the Birth to 3 Program workforce in response to the release of the Approved Tool List and accompanying materials in April and May of 2023. Document: Read Time: 5-10 minutes
- Comparison Chart: DP-4 and DAYC-2: This resource was created to help teams explore the selected evaluation tools in order to make an informed decision. It includes a comparison chart of key factors of each tool, adapted from the tool manuals. Chart: Read time: 10 minutes
- DP-4 & DAYC-2 Scoring Guide: This scoring guide was developed to address scoring questions related to the DP-4 and DAYC-2, noting key differences in administration, scoring rules, and considerations. Document: Read Time: 5 minutes
National Resources
- NEW! Definition of Functional Assessment (pdf): This professional development resource is supported by the Integrated Training Collaborative (ITC), with grant funding support from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Part C Early Intervention.
- DEC Recommended Practices (Assessment: pg 8): The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices provide guidance to practitioners to help bridge the gap between research and practice by highlighting those practices that have been shown to result in better outcomes for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them. Practice Guide: Read time: 5 minutes
- Remote Screening, Evaluation, and Assessment: Resources developed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) are designed to help states, programs, and local practitioners examine and answer difficult questions about remote screening, evaluation, and assessment. Various Individual or Team Resources: Self-paced
- Practice Improvement Tools: Assessment: Resources developed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) that are designed to support evaluation and assessment practices. It includes assessment checklists, illustrations, and practice guides for practitioners in English and Spanish. Various Individual or Team Resources: Self-paced
- Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention: This video is from the Results Matter Video Library and it describes and illustrates how authentic assessment enhances early intervention work with children and families, including the use of observation, conversations with families, and video. Video – Watch Time: 7:36 minutes
- Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention Module: Part of the EI Universal Curriculum series. This module provides an overview of what authentic assessment is and why it is important in EI. The module includes numerous opportunities for reflection as well as tools to support both the online learner and the administrators/supervisors who support and prepare early intervention practitioners/service coordinators. Module: Self-paced
- Early Childhood Recommended Practices Modules: Module 7: Assessment: A learning module on assessment based on the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices. In this module, you will learn effective assessment practices and why assessment is crucial for children with disabilities. Module: Self-paced
