Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes

Most general SPP/APR resources are applicable to Part C Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes. The applicable OSEP resources include:

• Part C SPP/APR Package
  • SPP/APR Measurement Table (see Indicator C3)
  • SPP/APR Instructions (see guidance on sampling)
• Part C SPP/APR Template
• Part C SPP/APR User Guide
• Slippage definition
• Universal TA for FFY 2020-2025 SPP/APR (if resetting targets or baseline)

The applicable TA resources include:

• SPP/APR Basics, What You Need to Know (see Indicator C3 module)
• States’ Reasons for Slippage by SPP/APR Indicator (see Indicator C3 examples)
• Target Setting Guide (if resetting baseline or targets, see Indicator C3 guidance)

Indicator-Specific TA Resources

• Child Outcomes Calculators and Graphing Templates – These tools convert Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes progress category data to summary statements, compare statements across years, calculate data completeness, and provide templates for generating graphs to represent the data. States can use the Summary Statement Calculator when comparing the auto-calculations with their own calculations and for calculating the “Number and Percentage of Infants and Toddlers Who Did Not Receive Early Intervention Services for at Least Six Months.”
• Converting Child Outcomes Data to OSEP Progress Categories/Summary Statements – This resource explains how the child outcomes data that local programs collect are converted to the national data reported annually to the federal government for Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes.
• Converting COS Data to OSEP Progress Categories/Summary Statements – This resource shows how Child Outcomes Summary (COS) data are converted to the child outcomes progress categories and summary statements that states report annually to the federal government for Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes.
• SPP/APR Submission Guidance: Checklist and Tips – Indicator C3 Early Childhood Outcomes – This resource helps ensure states have included all required data and narrative in Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes, including:
  • Accuracy of historical data for Part C NOT serving “at-risk” infants and toddlers
  • Current FFY data, including description of slippage, if applicable, for Part C NOT serving “at-risk” infants and toddlers
  • Accuracy of historical data for Part C serving “at-risk” infants and toddlers
  • Current FFY data, including description of slippage, if applicable, for Part C serving “at-risk” infants and toddlers
  • Number of infants and toddlers who did not receive early intervention services for at least six months
  • Sampling and data collection

  The resource also reminds states to review and address any required actions within “OSEP Response” and “Required Actions” as outlined in the prior year’s SPP/APR.

• SPP/APR Submission Guidance Data Calculations – Indicator C3: Early Childhood Outcomes – This resource provides detailed information about the data needed for the early childhood outcomes calculation based on the federal measurement table and related documentation. Specifically, it provides information about general considerations (e.g., calculations involve five progress categories and two summary statements for each of the three child outcomes), the data needed for the numerator and denominator, data points for the calculation, data sources, and an example calculation.
• SPP/APR Submission Guidance: Sampling for Indicators C3: Early Childhood Outcomes, B7: Preschool Outcomes, and C4: Family Outcomes – This resource provides guidance for sampling from the FFY Part C and Part B SPP/APR Package General Instructions.

Published October 2026.