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In this session, Tennessee shared recent improvements the state made to its process for making annual local determinations as required under IDEA. The Tennessee process demonstrates how the state uses IDEA Section 618 and other data to measure an LEA’s performance toward meeting state targets of the SPP/APR for various indicators and how use of these results is ultimately part of the determination decisionmaking process. Tennessee included the results of these annual determinations in its annual submission of the MOE Reduction and CEIS data.

IDC staff joined the NPSO Community of Practice call December 11 to present examples for states to consider that would constitute a change of their sampling plans. Staff explained how states can get TA on sampling from IDC. The call also offered a refresher on the NPSO sampling and response calculators that states can use for their SPP/APR work.

This role-alike presentation was a facilitated discussion by Part B Data Managers to explore strategies and solutions for meeting common challenges, such as working with LEAs to improve data quality, cross walking EDFacts data to SPP/APR indicators, and verifying that requirements for making data available to the public are fully met.

IDC staff provided an introduction to data visualization approaches that are particularly useful for presenting IDEA data for the public. Participants learned simple strategies, chart types, and report styles that can be used to visualize the state’s data using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and free online tools. Presenters also provided a set of activities so participants can continue developing their capacity in follow-up to the interactive institute.

IDEA requires that states publicly report Section 618 data. To assist SEA special education directors and data managers in meeting these requirements, IDC is developing a TA tool to simplify regulatory language and requirements into one document that includes process tips and pitfalls. The presentation highlighted existing practice across the country and provided opportunity for attendees to review the current draft of the proposed TA tool.

IDEA allows, and sometimes requires, LEAs to use funds provided under Part B of IDEA for CEIS for students who are not receiving special education services. There are multiple data collection and reporting requirements associated with the use of these funds for CEIS. IDC staff review how a diverse subset of states and their LEAs are working to meet those requirements. Both aggregate and student-level reporting approaches are reviewed.

The presentation provides information about what data quality means, how to get to data quality for the SSIP and why data quality is increasingly important.