Session 4: The 7-Point Scale

The Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process uses a 7-point rating scale to indicate a child’s status on each of the three outcomes at a given point in time. In this session, you will learn about each point on the scale and how they are used to describe a child’s current functioning compared to age-expected functioning for his or her chronological age.

Keep in mind, to be able to accurately assign a rating to a child's functioning requires knowledge of typical child development. If you are not familiar with typical child development, please refer to the resources in Session 3 and/or seek additional information or training.
 

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will gain an understanding of:

• How the 7-point scale is related to age-expected functioning; and
• The specific criteria associated with each of the 7 points on the COS rating scale.

Reminder About the Cycle of Learning

Remember, it is recommended that you work through all sections of the cycle of learning to maximize your understanding of the content: Set-Up, Presentation, Just for Me, Assessment, and Wrap-Up. If you have forgotten the purpose of any of these sections, feel free to revisit What to Expect.