Resource Library

Use this interactive PDF to learn more about the different components of high-quality data.

The Importance of High-Quality Data and the Role of Business Rules instructional video provides a brief introduction to the concept of using business rules to promote and support the collection of high-quality data within state and local systems for IDEA Part B and C.

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.

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. 

Response rate and representativeness are important terms in survey work.  Consideration of both is necessary to ensure that collected data are valid and generalizable.  This resource briefly defines and compares the terms while also explaining how they relate to nonresponse bias. 

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.

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.