Most early intervention program evaluation plans today include some type of pre/posttest design using one or more norm-referenced instruments. A common objective is to document the beneficial impact of a program on the performance of participating children. This article reviews the ways in which norm-referenced DA and DQ evaluation data are currently reported and notes disadvantages associated with each. The concept of intervention DQ, in contrast with Pretest DQ, is proposed as a valid and meaningful way to report this type of evaluation data to broad audiences.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Alpern, G., Boll, T., & Shearer, M. (1980). Developmental profile II. Aspen, CO: Psychological Development Publications.
2.
Anastasiow, N.J. (1986). The research base for early intervention. Journal of the Division for Early Childhood, 10(2), 99-105.
3.
Bagnato, S.J., & Neisworth, J.T. (1980). The intervention efficiency index: An approach to preschool program accountability. Exceptional Children, 46(4), 264-269.
4.
Bailey, E.J., & Bricker, D. (1985). Evaluation of a three-year early intervention demonstration project, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education , 5(2), 52-65.
5.
Bayley, N. (1969). Bayley scales of infant development. New York: The Psychological Corporation.
6.
Casto, G., & Lewis, A. (1986). Selecting outcome measures in early intervention . Journal of the Division for Early Childhood, 10(2), 118-123.
7.
Fewell, R.R., & Sandall, S.R. (in press). Developmental testing of handicapped infants: A measurement dilemma. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 6(3).
8.
Garwood, S.G. (1982). (Mis)use of developmental scales in program evaluation . Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1(4), 61-69.
9.
Glover, M.E., Preminger, J.L., & Sanford, A.R. (1978). Early Learning Accomplishment Profile. Winston-Salem, NC: Kaplan School Supply .
10.
Goodwin, W.L., & Driscoll, L.A. (1980). Handbook for measurement and evaluation in early childhood education. San Francis-co : Jossey-Bass.
11.
Hanson, M.J. (1985). An analysis of the effects of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with moderate and severe handicaps. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 5(2), 36-51.
12.
Jelinek, J.A. (1985). Documentation of child progress revisited: An analysis method for outreach or local programs. Journal of the Division for Early Childhood, 9(2), 175-182.
13.
Keogh, B.K., & Sheehan, R. (1981). The use of developmental test data for documenting handicapped children's progress: Problems and recommendations. Journal of Division of Early Childhood, 3, 42-47.
14.
Knobloch, H., Stevens, F., & Malone, A. (1980). Manual of developmental diagnosis: The administration and interpretation of the revised Gesell and Amatruda developmental and neurological examination. Hagerstown, MD: Harper and Row.
15.
LeMay, D.W., Griffin, P.M., & Sanford, A.R. (1977). Learning accomplishment profile: Diagnostic edition (Rev. ed.). Chapel Hill, NC: Chapel Hill Training and Outreach Project.
16.
LeLaurin, K. (1985). The experimental analysis of the effects of early intervention with normal, at-risk, and handicapped children under three. Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 5, 129-150.
17.
Linn, R. (1979). Validity of inferences based on the proposed Title I evaluation models. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis , 1, 23-32.
18.
Oelwein, P.L., Fewell, R.R., & Pruess, J.B. (1985). The efficacy of intervention at outreach sites of the program for children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays . Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 5(2), 78-87.
19.
Ramey, C.T., Campbell, F.A., & Wasik, B.H. (1982). Use of standardized tests to evaluate early childhood special education programs. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1(4), 51-60.
20.
Sheehan, R. (1980). Measuring child progress: Large group design and norm-referenced alternatives. Proceedings of the 1979 WESTAR Evaluation Workshop-Evaluat- ing Handicapped Children's Early Education Programs, 55-77. Seattle, WA: Western States Technical Assistance Resource.
21.
Sheehan, R., & Keogh, B.K. (1982). Design and analysis in the evaluation of early childhood special education programs. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1(4), 81-88.
22.
Simeonsson, R.J., & Wiegerink, R. (1975). Accountability: A dilemma in infant intervention . Exceptional Children, 41(7), 474-481.
23.
Vulpe, S. (1979). Vulpe assessment battery. Ontario, CanadaNational Institute of Mental Retardation.
24.
White, K., & Casto, G. (1985). An integrative review of early intervention efficacy studies with at-risk children: Implications for the handicapped. Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 5, 7-31.
25.
Wolery, M. (1983). Proportional change index: An alternative for comparing child change data. Exceptional Children, 50(2), 167-170.
26.
Wolery, M., & Dyk, L. (1985). The evaluation of two levels of a center based early intervention project. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 5(2), 66-77.
27.
Zigler, E., & Balla, D. (1982). Selecting outcome variables in evaluations of early childhood special education programs. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1(4), 11-22.
