Indicator C4: Family Outcomes

Most general SPP/APR resources are applicable to Part C Indicator C4: Family Outcomes. The applicable OSEP resources include:

• Part C SPP/APR Package
  • SPP/APR Measurement Table (see Indicator C4)
  • 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 C4 module)
• States’ Reasons for Slippage by SPP/APR Indicator (see Indicator C4 examples)
• Target Setting Guide (if resetting baseline or targets, see Indicator C4 guidance)

Indicator-Specific TA Resources

• Family Outcomes Response Rate and Representativeness Calculator – This calculator computes response rates for states’ Indicator C4: Family Outcomes survey data and determines if the surveys received are representative of the target population.
• Family Outcomes Survey Considerations – This resource addresses survey construction for Indicator C4: Family Outcomes, as well as mode of delivery, method of analyses, use of incentives, adding reminders, and other considerations.
• Response Rate, Representativeness, and Nonresponse Bias—They All Matter! – This IDEA Data Center resource defines and compares response rates and representativeness while also explaining how they relate to nonresponse bias.
• SPP/APR Family Outcomes Writing Examples – This resource provides examples of how a state might describe the representativeness of its family outcomes data, if the data reflect any nonresponse bias, and strategies to improve participation among under-represented families.
• SPP/APR Submission Guidance: Checklist and Tips – Indicator C4: Family Outcomes – This resource helps ensure states have included all required data and narrative in Indicator C4: Family Outcomes, including:
  • Accuracy of historical data
  • Current FFY data, including description of slippage, if applicable
  • Sampling
  • Tool
  • Representativeness and Survey Response Rates

  It 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 C4: Family Outcomes – This resource provides detailed information about the data needed for the family outcomes calculation based on the federal measurement table and related documentation. Specifically, it provides information about general considerations (e.g., states will need to define which questions or items in their surveys apply to each of the three outcomes and summarize the data accordingly), 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.