The State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) is an important tool for states to assess local education agency (LEA) implementation of IDEA. However, reviewing LEA performance on the SPP/APR indicators must not be the only tool. This Fast Five introduces five factors (plus one!) other than the SPP/APR indicators that states should…

Many states struggle with collecting reliable and valid data that can be easily analyzed at the state level. This can be particularly challenging in states where schools and districts have local control over the selection of their assessment tools. This state spotlight presents the strategies that the Iowa Department of Education (IDE) used to…

To evaluate interim progress toward the State-identified Measurable Result (SIMR), states require access to high-quality data from local education agencies (LEAs) and early intervention service providers. In a review of 2017 Phase III State Systemic Improvement Plans (SSIP), 43 Part C states noted limitations or concerns related to data and…

The National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) conducted a series of focused conversations on child assessment with 31 Part C (Infant-Toddler) and Part B-619 (Preschool) program state representatives and NCSI Technical Assistance (TA) Facilitators. The purpose was to learn more about how state early intervention and early childhood programs…

The ability to significantly increase and sustain gains in early literacy for students with disabilities and a desire to bridge the gap between compliance and results-driven accountability (RDA) led Washington State to innovate a solution. This state spotlight will focus on Washington's improvement strategy to address this early literacy challenge…

The Tennessee Department of Education faced significant challenges in evaluating and reporting the effects of its first year of State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) implementation when its state test data became unavailable. This NCSI state spotlight presents how Tennessee selected one of two options to address the challenge. [This resource was…

Data-based problem solving within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) can help state education agencies and local education agencies (LEAs) improve graduation rates for students with disabilities. To facilitate problem solving within an MTSS, states and LEAs need efficient systems and processes for analyzing and integrating data across…

State tests lack the sensitivity and frequency to reflect ongoing academic improvement of students who are well below grade-level proficiency standards. As a result, some states are using screening and progress-monitoring data, collected as part of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) model, to evaluate early student-level progress toward SiMR…

Outcomes for students with disabilities are historically concerning. As states have leveraged the "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA) to refine accountability and support systems, schools across the country have been identified as needing "Targeted School Improvement" (TSI) or "Comprehensive School Improvement" (CSI).…

The selection of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in mathematics is a critical step toward improving mathematics outcomes for students with disabilities. This state spotlight presents how the Maryland State Department of Education uses the TAP-IT (Team, Analyze, Plan, Implement, and Track) process coupled with systems coaching to support the…

Similar to many states, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) does not mandate the use of specific literacy screening or progress monitoring tools. LDOE sought a measurement approach that resulted in accurate and reliable information on student progress and outcomes, yet respected local control. This state spotlight presents initial…

To successfully launch the 2020-2021 school year for students with disabilities, state education agencies (SEAs) have an essential leadership role to play in supporting local school systems to plan for multiple scenarios, including services delivered in-person, through distance learning, and via blended approaches. There are two overarching…