South Dakota again receives highest ratings under IDEA

IDEA Part B measures and reports the effectiveness of special education services at the preschool and K-12 levels, while Part C refers to the state’s Birth to Three program, which provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers ages birth to three years with developmental delays.

Under Part B, federal fiscal year 2017 marks the fourth year in a row that South Dakota “meets requirements,” which is the highest rating a state can receive. Under Part C, this is the second year that South Dakota has been determined to “meet requirements.”

States must receive a rating of 80 percent or higher to receive the “meets requirements” determination. In federal fiscal year 2017, South Dakota received 89.58% for Part B and 81.25% for Part C.

“I commend the dedication of families, service providers and school districts in providing high quality services to infants, toddlers and students with disabilities. These results for our state’s youth are cause for celebration,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Dr. Ben Jones.

IDEA requires each state to develop a State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report that evaluates the state’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of the IDEA and describes how the state will improve its implementation.

The Part B and Part C SPP/APRs include indicators that measure child and family results and other indicators that measure compliance with the requirements of the IDEA. Since 2015, Part B and Part C SPP/APRs have included a State Systemic Improvement Plan through which each state focuses its efforts on improving a state-selected child or family outcome through implementation of an evidence-based practice.

IDEA details four categories for determinations:

• Meets the requirements and purposes of IDEA
• Needs assistance in implementing the requirements of IDEA
• Needs intervention in implementing the requirements of IDEA
• Needs substantial intervention in implementing the requirements of IDEA