Evaluation and Assessment System for Young Children with Disabilities Ages Birth through Five and Their Families

Maryland’s Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education Evaluation and Assessment System provides a reliable, valid, and coordinated approach to supporting families and building capacity for early care and education programs. This approach promotes positive developmental and educational outcomes through full access, participation, and supports in home and community life for young children with disabilities and their families.

Maryland’s purpose-driven assessment system gathers and employs useful information with families to make effective, data-informed decisions. To support the implementation of high-quality early care and education programs and services, the three purposes of evaluation and assessment are:

• Eligibility (Part C / Part B) determination
• Individualized results-oriented decision-making for children and families:

   

  • Addressing family concerns, priorities, and resources
  • Developing an IFSP/IEP
  • Planning intervention and instruction based on assessment
  • Providing child/family supports and services
     
• Measuring child developmental and school readiness progressAccountability/Child Outcomes Measurement (Part C/Part B)