South Dakota has received the highest rating possible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, for both Parts B and C for federal fiscal year 2019– the most recent reporting year.
The US Department of Education says the state is one of only 12 across the country to meet the requirements and purposes of IDEA under both Parts B and C.
South Dakota Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson says the families, service providers and school districts who work together to provide high quality services to infants, toddlers and students with disabilities are to be commended. She says results at this level only happen through dedication and teamwork.
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 until a child’s third birthday with developmental delays.
Under Part B, federal fiscal year 2019 marks the sixth year in a row that South Dakota “meets requirements,” which is the highest rating a state can receive. Under Part C, this is the fourth year that South Dakota has been determined to “meet requirements.”
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
South Dakota ranking was announced at yesterday’s (July 19, 2021) Board of Education Standards meeting.
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