Child Outcome Summary Form (COSF)
1. What is a COSF and who gets one? ~ 2. What do the ratings mean? ~3. What type of questions should I ask to determine the ratings? ~ 4. When does the child get an Exit COSF? ~ 5. Can we use the Exit form from an ILP as our Entry COSF? ~ 6. What about preschoolers transferring into our district? ~ 7. How will I know if a student needs an Exit COSF? ~ 8. What do I do with the paperwork?
1. What is a COSF and who gets one?
COSF, or Child Outcome Summary Form, is a scaled rating (1-7) of child’s early development in three areas – Social, Knowledge, and Behavior. All newly certified SPED students between the ages of 3 and 5 ½ must have an Entry COSF upon certification for special education services. Not all students between the ages of 3 to 5½ require a COSF; only those certified for special education services need an Entry COSF.
The following assessment tools are acceptable for gathering Entry and Exit data:
– Dial 3 or 4
– Brigance
– Battelle
– AGS
– AEPS
– Others as approved by the AK Department of Education
click here for: Decision Tree for Summary Rating Discussions (pdf)
1
|
Does not yet show functioning expected for age in any situation. Skills and behaviors also do not include any immediate foundational skills upon which to build age appropriate functioning. Child’s functioning might be described as like that of a much younger child. |
2
|
Between level 1 and 3. |
3
|
Does not yet show functioning expected for age in any situation. Behaviors and skills include immediate foundational skills upon which to build age appropriate functioning. Functioning might be described as like that of a younger child. |
4
|
Between level 3 and 5. |
5
|
Shows functioning expected for age some of the time and/or in some situations. Functioning is a mix of age appropriate and not appropriate. Functioning might be described as like that of a slightly younger child. |
6
|
Between level 5 and 7. Functioning generally considered appropriate for age but there are some concerns about the functioning in this outcome area. |
7
|
Shows functioning expected for age in all, or almost all, everyday situations that are part of the child’s life. Functioning is considered appropriate for age. No one has concerns about child’s functioning in this outcome area. |
3. What type of questions should I ask to determine the ratings?
Click here for a list of Discussion Prompts or questions that could be used to guide a conversation about the child’s functioning in these three areas. The Early Childhood Outomes Center has also developed a Decision Tree to help guide COSF discussions.
4. When does the child get an Exit COSF?
An Exit COSF is done when the student turns 6 years of age or at the time the student is being exited from special education if it is before their 6th birthday. Dropouts or transfers out of district do not need an Exit COSF.
5. Can we use the Exit COSF form from an Infant Learning Program as our COSF Entry?
Yes, the scores from the exit form from an ILP should be used as our Entry COSF scores.
6. What about preschoolers (3- 5 ½ yrs old) transferring into our district from out of state? …from another district within state?
Since this is a federally mandated program newly certified pre-schoolers from out of state should have a COSF with their paperwork. The same holds true for a transfer from another Alaskan school district. Contact your SpEd secretary if you have a transfer without a COSF.
7. How will I know if a SPED student turning 6 or exiting prior to 6 needs an Exit COSF?
a. Within the SpEd database in the IEP Info section, a student with an entry COSF will have the following displayed:
b. You will also receive an email notification when a COSF student is approaching their 6th birthday.
8. What do I do with the paperwork after doing either an entry or exit COSF?
A copy of the Entry COSF should be part of the student’s initial ESER paperwork sent to Pupil Services (Rebecca or Darla). Entry and Exit COSFs should be also sent to Laura Rhyner. A copy should be retained for your files.