Head Start - Child Outcome Measures

Purpose

The 1998 reauthorization of Head Start requires all programs to demonstrate that children make progress toward positive child outcomes in specific areas of learning. In response to this requirement, data for all children is submitted three times a year to the Wayne County Head Start office. An analysis of the data is used to determine the progress that has been made, strengthen the quality of the Head Start program and improve efforts in helping children learn and prepare for school success.

The Head Start Bureau mandates that “every Head Start program should have a well balanced child assessment system, aligned with their curriculum that gathers data on the eight domains of learning and development.” The instrument that Wayne County Head Start uses to document children’s developmental progress is based on the High Scope curriculum and Child Observation Record (COR) along with the Head Start Outcomes Framework to ensure that children make progress toward the expected goals. The COR can be used to measure all domains identified in the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.

Wayne County Head Start education staff use the Child Observation Record, commonly referred to as the COR. The COR is an assessment that is based on the observation of children’s behaviors and activities they initiate in six developmental categories. Teaching staff observe and record the words, and interactions of each child in their classroom. Based on observations of the child, an observer chooses the level of development that best represents the highest level of behavior the child displays. Teachers record notes based on their observations and use them to plan activities, experiences, and strategies to further support children’s growth and development. Use of these observations help teaching staff to customize learning plans based on the individual developmental needs of each child.

• The COR assesses children’s skills and strengths to give an accurate picture of their overall development (in the natural environment of the classroom) rather that a test (artificial environment).

• Teachers can plan classroom activities and adjust materials to match individual interest and developmental needs of children based on their COR observations.
• COR data provides ongoing information regarding children’s progress over time in the eight Head Start domains of learning which include: language development, literacy, math, science, creative arts, approaches to learning, social/emotional development and physical health.

8 Head Start Domains

• COR results give a profile of the individual child and groups of children.

• Children’s progress is reported through use of the COR at the beginning, middle and end of each school year.

• COR results provide a “picture” of the effectiveness of the Head Start program providing information on the program’s strengths, areas for growth, and additional training needs of staff that may be required.

• COR assessment data is used to determine program development, evaluation and planning.

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