Significant Disproportionality

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Significant Disproportionality Resources

The Equity in IDEA regulations require states to determine annually if local education agencies (LEAs) are identified with significant disproportionality. The regulations outline specific requirements related to methods for identifying LEAs and activities the LEAs must complete after they are identified. These significant disproportionality resources can assist states with implementing these requirements and supporting LEAs through the process of meeting the requirements. 

 

Significant Disproportionality Resources

Requirements
Calculation
Identifying and Addressing Contributing Factors
Reporting Data
Significant Disproportionality Summit
Quick Links

Requirements

The Equity in IDEA regulations require states to identify LEAs with significant disproportionality by disability, identification, educational environments, and discipline. The resources below provide detailed information about the specific calculation requirements for each category and activities LEAs must complete after they are identified.

  • Equity Requirements in IDEA
    Applications and Spreadsheets:Equity Requirements in IDEA

    IDEA has three distinct requirements around equity: Disproportionate Representation (SPP/APR Indicators 9 and 10), Significant Discrepancy (SPP/APR Indicators 4A and4B), and Significant Disproportionality. To help clarify the differences and similarities among the three equity requirements, IDC developed this resource to compare and contrast these various equity requirements. The resource details key areas such as methodology, data sources, and reporting considerations for each of the three equity requirements.

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  • A Comparison of Mandatory Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) and Voluntary Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS)
    Guides and Briefs:A Comparison of Mandatory Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) and Voluntary Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS)

    In December 2016, OSEP finalized new regulations on significant disproportionality (34 CFR §300.646). These regulations enforce the use of IDEA funds for mandatory CCEIS, which LEAs provide upon identification of significant disproportionality, and distinguish use of funds for CCEIS from the use of IDEA funds for voluntary CEIS. This resource is a handy chart that outlines the differences between CCEIS and voluntary CEIS. States can contact their IDC State Liaisons to obtain laminated versions of the chart. Information on IDC State Liaisons is available at the IDC website TA page.

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Calculation

Equity in IDEA regulations require states to use risk ratio or alternative risk ratio to calculate significant disproportionality for LEAs. The resources below assist states with implementing the calculations.

  • Five professionals have a conversation around a table
    Toolkits:Data Sources for Calculating Significant Disproportionality

    Data Sources for Calculating Significant Disproportionality provides a summary of the data states need to calculate significant disproportionality in the areas of identification, placement, and discipline. For each category of analysis within these three areas, this resource provides information about what data states should use to calculate the risk numerator and risk denominator, relevant EDFacts file specifications that include these data, and which subtotals and category sets apply.

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  • Methods for Assessing Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in Special Education
    Guides and Briefs:Methods for Assessing Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in Special Education

    This TA guide addresses the more common methods for calculating racial/ethnic disproportionality in special education. IDC revised the guide, which the Data Accountability Center (DAC) originally published in October 2011, because of a change in SPP/APR Indicators 9 and 10 to remove underrepresentation from the measure.

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  • Spreadsheet Application for Calculating Disproportionality Measures and User’s Guide: Spreadsheet Application for Calculating Disproportionality Measures (Revised)
    Applications and Spreadsheets:Significant Disproportionality Calculator and User's Guide

    The Significant Disproportionality Calculator is a spreadsheet application that the IDEA Data Center (IDC) created to help states and analyze their data, make determinations of significant disproportionality, and support local education agencies (LEAs) in their analysis of data for significant disproportionality at the school-level. The accompanying user’s guide describes each sheet within the calculator, formatting requirements, and instructions for using the calculator

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  • SEA Data Processes Toolkit
    Toolkits:SEA Data Processes Toolkit

    The SEA Data Processes Toolkit is a collection of templates to document all state-level IDEA data collection and reporting procedures and activities. Using this toolkit to create protocols for all data collections will establish a well-managed process for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

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  • Webinar
    Trainings:State Stories: Helping Districts Understand Significant Disproportionality

    Do you wonder how other states make districts aware of and help them understand their data related to significant disproportionality? How do states help districts understand their responsibilities when the state has identified them with significant disproportionality? What kinds of early warning systems do states use so districts understand when they are at risk for significant disproportionality? State panelists answered these questions and more during this IDC webinar. Participants learned about proactive strategies states are taking to help districts understand and use data related to significant disproportionality, as well as other supports states provide for districts both before and after their identification with significant disproportionality.

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Identifying and Addressing Contributing Factors

LEAs identified as having significant disproportionality must identify the factors that contributed to the disproportionality. The resources below assist LEAs with working through an analysis to determine the factors. After LEAs identify the factors, they must implement Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) to address the factors.

  • ImSuccess Gaps Toolkitage
    Toolkits:Success Gaps Toolkit

    The Success Gaps Toolkit presents a process for using data and the Success Gaps 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.

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  • Examining Representation and Identification
    Guides and Briefs:Examining Representation and Identification: Over, Under, or Both?

    Significant disproportionality with regard to identifying children as children with disabilities or as children with specific disabilities is, by definition, overrepresentation. This resource defines overrepresentation and three related terms: over-identification, under-identification, and underrepresentation. States can use this resource, in conjunction with the Success Gaps Toolkit, to help identify and address the factors contributing to significant disproportionality (i.e., overrepresentation) within school districts.

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  • Navigating Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    Guides and Briefs:Navigating Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    This FAQ document focuses on helping SEAs and LEAs understand CEIS and its reporting requirements. SEAs and LEAs can use the resource in conjunction with the OSEP Guidance Memo 08-09.

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  • Quick Reference Guide on Coordinated Early Intervening Services
    Guides and Briefs:Quick Reference Guide on Coordinated Early Intervening Services

    Developed by CIFR, in collaboration with IDC, this three-page quick reference guide assists states, LEAs, and stakeholders to better understand basic CEIS requirements stipulated in IDEA. The guide is updated to reflect 2016 changes in the IDEA Part B regulations on significant disproportionality. The guide describes the requirements for the provision of CEIS, the use of CEIS funds, the interaction of CEIS funds and local MOE reductions, and reporting obligations. It concludes with questions and additional resources for states to consider.

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  • Webinar
    Trainings:State Stories: Celebrating and Supporting Improvement in Districts Identified With Significant Disproportionality

    States are identifying districts with significant disproportionality and supporting them to address the root causes of the significant disproportionality. But are states seeing districts show improvement in significant disproportionality? What changes are districts achieving? How are states supporting these districts to improve the schooling experiences that lead to the identified disproportionalities and evaluate their progress? State and LEA panelists shared the small and large changes they have achieved, support strategies they have used, and lessons they have learned. Participants learned about ways states are working with districts to measure increments of change, evaluate progress, and make midcourse adjustments in policy and practice to address significant disproportionality.

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Reporting Data

OSEP requires states to report in the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Reduction and CEIS data submission the number of LEAs identified with significant disproportionality, the area identified, and the amount of IDEA funds LEAs reserved for CCEIS. The resources below can help states with reviewing the data prior to submission and with collecting quality data about CCEIS from the LEAs.

  • Applications and Spreadsheets
    Applications and Spreadsheets:618 Data Pre-submission Edit Check Tool - Part B MOE and CEIS

    IDC and CIFR developed the 618 Data Pre-submission Edit Check Tool - Part B MOE and CEIS to help states prepare their Part B MOE and CEIS data submission. States can use the tool to identify potential edit check errors or errors in subtotals or totals prior to submitting the data to OSEP. The tool allows states to input LEA-level data into the base data tab and generates edit check messages that the tool displays in the auto-calculations tab. IDC and CIFR updated the MOE and CEIS edit check tool with the revised reporting years and to reflect updates to three edit checks.

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  • Cover Image for CEIS Tracker
    Toolkits:Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Fiscal and Student Data Tracker

    The Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Fiscal and Student Data Tracker is a set of four tools SEAs can use with their districts, schools, and providers to assist them in tracking the finances, services, and student data associated with CEIS. The resource also includes an instructions document or user's guide for more information about when and how to use the CEIS Tracker. IDC and CIFR produced the CEIS Tracker.

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Significant Disproportionality Summit

During our first Significant Disproportionality Summit on November 9 and 10, 2021, IDC brought states and districts together to discuss strategies, processes, and infrastructures related to significant disproportionality. The Summit included a keynote session followed by six plenary sessions focused on topics such as cultivating robust stakeholder teams, conducting root cause analysis, addressing different types of disproportionality, and evaluating improvement strategies.

Quick Links

IDC encourages states to review the Equity in IDEA Regulations and Equity in IDEA Essential Questions and Answers for additional support. Links to these two resources are below.

  • Equity in IDEA Regulations
    Guides and Briefs:Equity in IDEA Regulations

    The final regulations under Part B of IDEA, effective January 18, 2017, require states to address issues related to significant disproportionality in the identification, placement, and discipline of students with disabilities based on race or ethnicity.

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  • Equity in IDEA Essential Questions and Answers
    Guides and Briefs:Equity in IDEA Essential Questions and Answers

    This Q&A document answers essential questions about the Equity in IDEA final regulations, including information on the contents of the general rule, the standard methodology, remedies, effective and compliance dates, and a glossary of terms.

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