Part B SPP/APR Indicator B7: Preschool Outcomes (FFY2022)

Data Use Considerations for IDEA State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) Part B, Indicator 7: Percent of Preschool Children Aged 3 through 5 with IEPs Who Demonstrate Improved Outcomes

About Part B Indicator 7

Part B Indicator 7 requires States to report the percent of preschool children aged 3 through 5 with IEPs who demonstrate improved outcomes in the following areas:

• A. Positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships);
• B. Acquisition and use of knowledge and skills (including early language/communication and early literacy); and
• C. Use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs.

Within each of these areas, States are required to report on the percentage of preschool children with disabilities that demonstrated:

• a) Percent of preschool children who did not improve functioning.
• b) Percent of preschool children who improved functioning but not sufficient to move nearer to functioning comparable to same-aged peers.
• c) Percent of preschool children who improved functioning to a level nearer to same-aged peers but did not reach it.
• d) Percent of preschool children who improved functioning to reach a level comparable to same-aged peers.
• e) Percent of preschool children who maintained functioning at a level comparable to same- aged peers.

Additionally, Indicator 7 requires States to report two summary statements for each of the three outcome areas:

1. Summary Statement 1: Of those preschool children who entered the preschool program below age expectations in each Outcome, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program.
   • Numerator: progress categories (c + d)
   • Denominator: progress categories (a + b + c + d)
2. Summary Statement 2: The percent of preschool children who were functioning within age expectations in each Outcome by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program.
   • Numerator: progress categories (d + e)
   • Denominator: progress categories (a + b + c + d + e)

In reporting these data, States are required to describe how annual data compare to State-identified targets, criteria for defining ‘comparable to same-aged peers’, and information regarding the instruments and procedures used to gather data for this indicator, including whether the State is using the Early Childhood Outcomes Center (ECO) Child Outcomes Summary Process (COS).

Additional information about Part B Indicator 7 can be found in the 2025 Part-B SPP/APR Measurement Table (PDF)  and the 2025 Part-B SPP/APR Related Requirements (PDF) .

Instructions for Using the Part B SPP/APR Indicator 7 Data File

The Part B SPP/APR Indicator 7 Data File can be filtered by State; historical, SPP/APR, or Targets; Question Text; Federal Fiscal Year; Data (or question responses); Suppression notes (if applicable); and Data format. The data file allows users to view and analyze the data submitted by each State on each outcome and associated progress categories and summary statement listed above. Instructions for accessing and using these data can be found below.

Filtering by State

To filter the data by State, select the drop-down arrow in either column B (to filter using State name) or column C (to filter using State postal code), row 10, and select the State(s) for which data is to be viewed using the checkboxes.

Filtering by Historical, SPP/APR, or Targets

To filter by historical, SPP/APR, or Targets data, select the drop-down arrow in column F (Sub Section/ Question Header/ Table header), row 10, and select the type of data to be viewed using the checkboxes.

Historical Data

Data reported by the State between FFY 2017 through FFY 2021.

SPP/APR Data

The data reported for the FFY 2022 federal fiscal year (released in calendar year 2024).

Targets Data

States are required to set targets that show improvement over the baseline data for the FFY 2020–2025 SPP/APR. For additional information, visit: Universal Technical Assistance for FFY 2020-2025 SPP/APR.

Filtering by Question Text

To filter by Question Text, select the drop-down arrow in column G, row 10. The drop-down menu generates several options for selection which correspond to the outcomes (A – C), their associated progress categories (a – e), and summary statements (1 and 2) described above in the About Part B Indicator 7 Section.

Key Terms 

• Slippage: A worsening from the previous data AND a failure to meet the target. The worsening also needs to meet certain thresholds to be considered slippage.
• Status: Denotes whether the State Met Target or Did Not Meet Target data

Use Case Examples

If a user wanted to find the percent of preschool children who entered the preschool program below age expectations in each outcome who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program (summary statement 1) for Outcome A: Positive Social Emotional Skills (including social relationships), they would select the drop-down arrow in column G, Question Text, row 10, uncheck “select all”, and scroll to find and select “A1. Of those children who entered or exited the program below age expectations in Outcome A, the percent who substantially increased their rate of growth by the time they turned 6 years of age or exited the program”, as enumerated in column I.

If a user wanted to find the percent of preschool children who did not improve functioning (progress category a) in use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs (outcome C), they would select the drop-down arrow in column G, Question Text, row 10, uncheck “select all”, and scroll to find and select “Outcome C, Percent of a. Preschool children who did not improve functioning”, and the percentage would be enumerated in column I, data.

If a user wanted to compare a State’s FFY 2022 SPP/APR data with its current and future targets, they would select “SPP/APR data” and “Targets” in Column F. Column G provides information on the State’s targets, baseline data, and actual data report for FFY 2022, as enumerated in column I.

Filtering by Federal Fiscal Year (FFY)

To filter the data by the Federal Fiscal Year in which they were reported, select the drop-down arrow in column H (FFY Name), and select the year(s) for which data is to be viewed.

Data Notes

Sampling of children for assessment is allowed. When sampling is used, States must submit a description of the sampling methodology outlining how the design will yield valid and reliable estimates. The measurement includes, in the numerator and denominator, only children who received special education and related services for at least six months during the age span of three through five years.

For indicators that permit sampling, the State must include in its report on the performance of local educational agency/early intervention service (LEAs/EIS) programs the most recently available performance data on each LEA/EIS program and the date that the data were obtained. If a State is using sampling for one or more indicators, the State must sample on the performance of each LEA/EIS program on each of those indicators at least once during the period of FFY 2020–2025. Further, if a State is using sampling, the State must collect data from a representative sample of LEAs/EIS programs each year in order to report on State performance annually. For more information see the Universal Technical Assistance for FFY 2020-2025 SPP/APR.