Resource Library

A graphic illustrating how different IDEA data collections can span multiple years and how a state may be working simultaneously with data from multiple school years.

Who doesn't love a good calendar? This tool serves as a reference for states as they plan for the timely and accurate submission of their 618 data collections. Simply select a month to view the data collection and corresponding tasks and activities for that month, or select a report to view a monthly breakdown of activities and related resources. 

Does your state have well-documented data processes in place to ensure that IDEA data are timely, accurate, valid, and reliable? If not, contact your IDC State Liaison for help! Using the SEA Data Processes Toolkit, our TA providers can work with state special education staff and others in your state to document your current 616 and 618 data processes. IDC can also assist with improving those processes to ensure consistent practices to collect, analyze and submit high quality data year after year!

The Importance of High-Quality Data and the Role of Business Rules instructional video provides a brief introduction to the concept of using business rules to promote and support the collection of high-quality data within state and local systems for IDEA Part B and C.

The Incorporating Business Rules Into State Data Systems instructional video explores the different ways Part B and Part C state agencies can incorporate business rules into their IDEA state data collection and reporting systems.

There is a continuous need for state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) to collect and report comprehensive, high-quality data and ensure they report data accurately and in a timely fashion. The customizable IDC LEA Data Processes Toolkit is a new instrument that can improve decisionmaking about children and youth with disabilities by ensuring data are of high quality and processes are clearly defined and documented, while also providing data staff a map for documenting data processes within local districts.

Response rate and representativeness are important terms in survey work.  Consideration of both is necessary to ensure that collected data are valid and generalizable.  This resource briefly defines and compares the terms while also explaining how they relate to nonresponse bias.