Section 03 Ready: How can my state ensure that the data we collect are representative?

In the case of Indicator B8 data, “representativeness” refers to the extent to which the demographics of the students whose parents participated in data collection activities are representative of the demographics of all children receiving special education services in the state. Representativeness is very important. If your data are not representative, they will not paint an accurate picture of the nature and level of parent involvement in your state.

A number of factors influence whether and how well the demographics of the students whose parents participate in your data collection activities are representative of the demographics of all students with disabilities. Things to keep in mind and address are

• whether and how specific groups of children are included (or not included) in the data collection (often referred to as sample selection);
• whether you have the information necessary to determine if the data you ultimately collect are representative; and
• whether your data collection instruments and procedures facilitate participation and allow you to track
  • the number of parents who participate compared to the number eligible parents invited to participate (also known as “response rate”) and
  • whether parents who participate in data collection activities are similar in the outcome you are trying to measure (i.e., feelings of involvement in their children’s special education programs) to those who do not participate (which, in the case that they are not similar, might be an indication of nonresponse bias).