Indicators

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) indicators are clear, easy-to-understand data points that show how well a state is doing in supporting children with disabilities. These data points are part of the state’s yearly report on how it is meeting special education goals. They help track if the state is following the laws and improving results for children with disabilities.

DPI’s WI State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicators: The State Performance Plan (SPP) represents the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) plan for improving outcomes of children with disabilities in Wisconsin. This comprehensive system serves as a roadmap for improving educational environments and achieving better long-term results for vulnerable learners. The webpage connects to pages brimming with resources, webinars, and information specific to each indicator.

This webpage includes several important resources related to early childhood education, including:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Birth to 3 Program: Federal Indicators: This Birth to 3 webpage details the twelve federal indicators used by Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program to evaluate and improve early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The guidelines emphasize providing care in natural environments, like homes or community settings, to foster better growth trajectories. By reporting these annual results to federal authorities, the state maintains general supervision and high standards for developmental support across all counties.

This webpage includes several important resources related to early childhood education, including:

Early Intervention in Wisconsin’s (EIWI) OSEP Child Outcomes: This webpage serves as a comprehensive hub for OSEP Child Outcomes resources, specifically designed for early intervention and preschool special education programs. It provides tools and information to help providers understand and report on the three global child outcomes: positive social-emotional skills, the acquisition and use of knowledge and skills, and the use of appropriate behaviors to meet needs. The site features a curated collection of Wisconsin-specific (“Homegrown”) and national resources.

Introduction to Child Outcomes: A downloadable brochure for parents and family members to explain what the child outcomes indicator is, how the information is used, and how families are involved in the process.

US Department of Education IDEA SPP/APR Indicator Analysis: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) serves as a foundational legal framework ensuring that millions of eligible children receive specialized educational services and early intervention. To assess the effectiveness of this law, the U.S. Department of Education utilizes the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report, which tracks specific indicators of success. This webpage shares information and data on these indicators.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) Early Care and Education Environment Indicators of High Quality Inclusion: This resource provides a comprehensive framework of 11 indicators designed to ensure that children with disabilities can fully participate, learn, and feel a sense of belonging in early childhood settings

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center’s (ECTA) Breadth of the Three Child Outcomes: The ECTA Center provides a comprehensive framework for tracking the development of children enrolled in early intervention and special education programs. It focuses on three primary outcomes: building social relationships, gaining knowledge, and taking action to meet personal needs.

 

Updated 4/24/2026