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Resources Within Reason Susan P. Maude and Camille Catlett Young Exceptional Children 2011 14: 47 DOI: 10.1177/1096250610396169 The online version of this article can be found at: http://yec.sagepub.com/content/14/1/47

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Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children

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YEC

Resources Within Reason Susan P. Maude, PhD Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Camille Catlett, MA University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

High-quality programs make time to explore questions related to program quality, such as “How are we doing?” or “How can we improve?” Early childhood programs should work to embody the same reflective practices that we try to instill in our teachers by embedding an effective and useful evaluation approach into their day-to-day functioning. The following resources offer a variety of ways that programs can collect and review data (e.g., child progress, family involvement, consumer satisfaction, standards alignment) as a regular part of ongoing management and continuous improvement.

Point K: Tell Me More! Point K’s tools and resources are designed to help nonprofits plan and evaluate their programs. The tools and resources are available at no charge (Organizational Assessment Tool, Logic Model Builder, and Evaluation Plan Builder). Free registration is required to access the tools. http://www.innonet.org/index.php?section _id=64&content_id=185

Program Development and Evaluation This University of Wisconsin–Extension’s website has a number of downloadable resources to support program evaluation. These include a free online course on how to use logic models and other evaluation tools to enhance program performance. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/ evaluation/

Child Welfare Information Gateway

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has assembled a website with resources to help program managers and administrators design and conduct evaluations and use evaluation findings to improve services and benefit staff and the families whom they serve. Sections of this site focus on designing and conducting evaluations, using logic models, using evaluation data, and funding evaluation efforts. Be sure to check out the Logic Model Builder and the Evaluation Toolkit.

Outcome-oriented evaluation using a logic model is one method for demonstrating the effectiveness of program activities. This guide was developed to provide practical assistance in the development and use of a logic model to support program planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/management/ effectiveness/

Program Evaluation This Pennsylvania State University site provides information to design and implement a useful program evaluation to improve a program, compare delivery methods, respond to stakeholders, advocate, and prepare for promotion. The site includes almost 100 easily reproducible evaluation tip sheets, worksheets, and other resources.

http://www.wkkf.org/knowledge-center/ resources/2006/02/WK-KelloggFoundation-Logic-ModelDevelopment-Guide.aspx

SpeciaLink: The National Centre for Child Care Inclusion Canadian colleagues of SpeciaLink have developed tools for assessing inclusion principles and practices and a companion DVD to support early childhood administrators and teachers in using these tools. http://www.specialinkcanada.org/ resources/index.html

http://extension.psu.edu/evaluation/

DOI: 10.1177/1096250610396169 http://yec.sagepub.com © 2011 Division for Early Childhood

Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2011 YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Downloaded from yec.sagepub.com by Susan Maude on June 5, 2011

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Resources Within Reason / Maude and Catlett

Environment Rating Scales

DEC Announcements

Environment rating scales are one resource for assessing early childhood programs. Commonly used scales include

DOI: 10.1177/1096250610397267

Newest Monograph on Autism Spectrum Disorder Have you seen the newest DEC monograph? This timely monograph has articles ranging from discussions on early signs of developing ASD and how to apply early childhood principles in support of young children with ASD to what families might experience and how they can contribute to the learning process. This book is an important addition to any library. Monograph 12: Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families is available for online purchase at www.dec-sped.org for $20.00. Remember that DEC members receive a member discount on all online purchases!

• Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised, designed to assess group programs for children of preschool through kindergarten age (2.5 to 5 years); • Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale–Revised, designed to assess group programs for children from birth to 2.5 years of age; and • Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised Edition, designed to assess family child care programs conducted in a provider’s home.

Have Questions About the Individuals With Disabilities Act? Get all the answers in DEC’s newest publication—Understanding IDEA: What It Means for Preschoolers With Disabilities and Their Families. This text is intended for practitioners, administrators, parents, and anyone interested in the IDEA policies related to preschoolers. The eight chapters address topics including responsibility for preschool special education, child find, transition, special education and related services, planning services and settings, parent rights, and much more. Questions and answers are provided to address selected IDEA requirements that most directly relate to preschoolers and their families. This book is available on the DEC website at http://dec-sped.org/Store/ Additional_Resources.

Teacher’s College Press: http://store.tcpress.com/cgi/sc/product search.cgi?storeid=*187d0191b96e0f3a b36dbe28508b

Announcing the DEC President’s Blog DEC’s president Amy Santos has initiated an insightful blog to help you stay connect to DEC’s activities and events. Add this link to your “Favorites” and check back often to participate in the dialogue about early childhood issues. decpresident.blogspot.com/

Are You a DEC Member? Being a DEC member entitles you to some outstanding benefits. Take advantage of the 20% discount available to you when placing an order for DEC products online at www.dec-sped.org. Or did you know that Young Exceptional Children and the Journal of Early Intervention, the official publications of the Division for Early Childhood, are now available to you online at www.sagepub.com? Members also receive discounts on conference registration, access to Career Connections, e-mail lists, and much more. Don’t miss out on these great opportunities.

Mark Your Calendar for DEC•2011!

In the Next Issue Resources to support effective communication

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YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

Join DEC for the 27th Annual International Conference on Young Children With Special Needs and Their Families, which will be held November 17-19, 2011, at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland. For the most up-to-date details and to register, go to www.dec-sped.org and click on the “Conference” tab.

Stay Connected and Up-to-Date Why not make the DEC website your home page? Our “What’s New” scroller will keep you informed of important DEC news . . . check it out at www.dec-sped.org!

Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2011 Downloaded from yec.sagepub.com by Susan Maude on June 5, 2011