Am Sub HB 215 sets forth three new requirements for accountability for Early Childhood programs administered by ODE (Head Start, Public School Preschool and Preschool Special Education). As described below, they are: 1) to document child progress using a common instrument and to report aggregate results annually; 2) to formulate and prescribe target levels for critical performance indicators; and 3) to collect "preschool" information by program type through EMIS.

1. To document child progress using a common instrument and to report aggregate results annually.

The purpose of this requirement is to be able to assess the immediate impact that Early Childhood programs have on children. Four broad goals for children have been agreed upon by the Head Start, Public School Preschool and Preschool Special Education communities. Investigation is underway to determine the instrument that will be used. Results will be reported in terms of "gains scores". Selected districts will field test the instrument in the next school year.

2. To formulate and prescribe target levels for critical performance indicators.

Program performance indicators such as staff and student attendance rates, mobility rates, staff development activities and parent participation activities have been selected as critical because of their relationship to positive child outcomes and sound administrative performance. Baseline data are being collected and target levels will be established for next year. All programs will be required to provide this data on paper forms at this time.

3. To collect "preschool" information by program type through EMIS.

Am Sub HB 215 Section 50.02 (F) reads in part: "The Ohio Department of Education shall require school districts to collect "preschool" information by program type. All data will be reported via the Education Management Information System (EMIS)."

The purpose of this requirement is to track long-term effects that Early Childhood programs may have on children as like groups of children progress through the public education system. Data are to be collected from all students entering Kindergarten regarding their "preschool" experiences prior to entering Kindergarten. These data will be entered into EMIS. The Department, having field tested several forms for this data collection, has provided a model questionnaire to districts for parents to use in reporting their child's experiences.

Data are required for reporting on students entering Kindergarten for the 1998-99 school year and entered into the EMIS system for the Oct. (K) 99 and June (N) 99 reporting periods. These data will become part of the DATA ACCOUNTABILITY requirements in June 99 and for October and June each year thereafter.