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.

This tool provides an overview of the public reporting requirements for IDEA Section 618 and processes for fulfilling the requirements. The tool annotates Section 618 legislation to name relevant data collections, file specifications documents, and user guides. Through a question-and-answer format, the tool highlights common processes and critical considerations to complete the requirements and points to external resources for further support.

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. 

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.

The Interactive Public Reporting Engine displays the complete set of IDEA data that states collect and submit to OSEP to meet the requirements of Section 618 of IDEA. This tool displays each dataset and the required disaggregations such as race/ethnicity, gender, and age. It provides a more dynamic way for states to meet the 618 public reporting requirements, and linking to the tool fulfills the public reporting requirements. In addition, use of the tool promotes conversations about how to improve results among families, teachers, schools, related service providers, administrators, policymakers, and other interested stakeholders.