Resource Library

Using the SEA Data Processes Toolkit to document data processes for all 616 and 618 data collections will establish a well-managed process for data collection, validation, and submission. In collaboration with IDC State Liaisons, states can use the toolkit to create and maintain a culture of high-quality data and establish and support consistent practices that produce valid and reliable data, while building the capacity of state staff. 

The LEA EDFacts Edit Check and Data Display Tools allow states to identify potential business rule errors or errors in category sets, subtotals, or totals prior to submitting the data to OSEP via the EDFacts Submission System. The tool also provides states with user-friendly data summaries.

The Success Gaps Toolkit presents a process for using data and the Success Gap Rubric to identify root causes of gaps between groups of children in districts or schools. These success gaps occur when the education system is not meeting the needs of all groups of children and outcomes for some groups are different than outcomes for most groups. The toolkit, with its process and materials, provides a manageable and defined way for districts or schools to identify success gaps that are present and their root causes and then make a plan for addressing the gaps. The success gaps may be the graduation rate of students who are English learners compared to the rate of all other children, the out-of-school suspension rate of children who are Black compared to the rate of all other children, the identification of children who are Hispanic as children with specific learning disabilities compared to the identification of all other children, and other gaps.

IDC presents the SEA Edit Check and Data Display Tools for IDEA 618 Part B Data to help states prepare their Part B data submissions. States can use these tools to review the contents of their IDEA 618 EDFacts Part B personnel, exiting, discipline and child count and educational environment data for children ages 3–5 (FS089) and students ages 6–21 (FS002) prior to submission to the EDFacts Submission System or ESS. The tools apply edit checks and identify potential errors in subtotals or totals in the data files. In addition, the tools provide user-friendly summaries of the 618 data. The tools are enhanced versions of the SEA Edit Check and Data Display Tools for personnel, exiting, discipline, and child count and educational environment data. The main difference is the enhanced edit check tools require states to directly copy and paste the EDFacts data files they will submit to ESS as opposed to manually entering data into an Excel file in a format that is different than the one required for submission to ESS.

Who doesn't love a good calendar? This tool serves as a reference for states as they plan for the timely and accurate submission of their 618 data collections. Simply select a month to view the data collection and corresponding tasks and activities for that month, or select a report to view a monthly breakdown of activities and related resources. 

A graphic illustrating how different IDEA data collections can span multiple years and how a state may be working simultaneously with data from multiple school years.

There is a continuous need for state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) to collect and report comprehensive, high-quality data and ensure they report data accurately and in a timely fashion. The customizable IDC LEA Data Processes Toolkit is a new instrument that can improve decisionmaking about children and youth with disabilities by ensuring data are of high quality and processes are clearly defined and documented, while also providing data staff a map for documenting data processes within local districts.