Instructions

Part C – SPP/APR (1) _________________

State

Part C State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR)

Instruction Sheet

I. General Instructions

Information Collection 1820-0578, Part C State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR), contains both SPP and APR instructions. The instruction sheet is divided into four sections: 1) General Instructions; 2) State Performance Plan; 3) Annual Performance Report; and 4) Related Requirements. States are encouraged to make note of the following due dates and implement a development schedule accordingly:

By February 1, 2007, States must submit:

1.) An SPP that IS EITHER--

A. A complete revised SPP (using the SPP template) that addresses all Indicators including the “New Indicators” for Part C (3, 4 and 12), and any deficiencies identified in OSEP’s letter responding to the State’s December 2005 SPP; OR

B. An SPP (using the SPP template) that addresses only the “New Indicators” in Part C (which are 3, 4 and 12), and any deficiencies identified in OSEP’s letter responding to the State’s December 2005 SPP. [In this case, the State must indicate where, on its WEB site, a complete copy of the State’s SPP (including the revised SPP addressing the new indicators) is available.]

2.) The State’s FFY 2005 Part C APR, which must contain progress data from FFY 2005 and other responsive APR Information for Indicators 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

When completing the SPP and APR, Lead Agencies will need to use the following parts of Information Collections 1820-0578 and 1820-NEW.

SPP Materials –

• SPP Instructions (See Section II of the enclosed Instructions.)

• Part C Indicator/Measurement Table with Instructions¹

• SPP Template

APR Materials –

• APR Instructions (See Section III of the enclosed Instructions.)

• Part C Indicator/Measurement Table with Instructions

• For the FFY 2005 (2005-2006) APR, use Table 4 of Information Collection 1820-NEW (Report of Dispute Resolution Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) when addressing the following Monitoring Priority: Effective General Supervision Part C – General Supervision, Indicators 10, 11, 12, and 13.

• APR Template

As noted in the conference report to HR 1350, it is Congress’ expectation that SPPs, indicators, and targets will be developed with broad stakeholder input and public dissemination. Therefore, the State is required to provide an explanation in the Overview to State Performance Plan Development in the SPP template to clarify how the State: 1) Obtained ‘broad input’ from stakeholders related to “New Indicators”; and 2) Disseminated the SPP to the public. Similarly, in the FFY 2005 APR, the State must provide a description of the process the State used to develop the APR. The description must include how and when the State will report annually to the public on: 1) the State’s progress and/or slippage in meeting the ‘measurable and rigorous targets’ found in its Part C SPP; and 2) the performance of each early intervention service program (EIS program) located in the State on the targets in the SPP.

The Part C Indicator Measurement Table lists the Monitoring Priorities and Indicators, required data sources and measurement, and instructions for providing the required information for each indicator. In addition to the percentages required in the indicators, Lead Agencies are required to provide actual numbers used in the calculations.² In examining data, Lead Agencies are encouraged to use the strategies and questions provided in the Using Data to Guide Improvement Efforts: Data Analysis workshop. These questions can be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/capr/index.html

Lead Agencies may add other performance indicators under Part C if there are additional areas that the Lead Agency wishes to track and measure to improve results for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. If additional indicators are added, the Lead Agency must identify its data source, measurement, and calculation for each indicator added. In addition, the Lead Agency must include the State’s targets under its additional indicators and data to measure its performance against the targets.

States are allowed to use sampling when so indicated on the Part C Indicator Measurement Table. When sampling is used, a description of the sampling methodology outlining how the design will yield valid and reliable estimates must be submitted to OSEP. The description must describe the: (a) sampling procedures followed (e.g., random/stratified, forms validation); and (b) the similarity or differences of the sample to the population of children with disabilities in the early intervention program (e.g., how all aspects of the population such as disability category, race, age, gender, etc. will be represented). The description must also include how the Lead Agency addresses any problems with: (1) response rates; (2) missing data; and (3) selection bias.

Samples from EIS programs must be representative of each of the EIS programs sampled, considering such variables as eligibility definition (diagnosed condition or developmental delay), age, race, and gender. In reporting on the performance of small EIS programs, the Lead Agency shall not report to the public or the Secretary any information on performance that would result in the disclosure of personally identifiable information about individual children or where the available data is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information, i.e., numbers are too small.

For indicators that permit sampling, the Lead Agency must include in its report on the performance of EIS programs the most recently available performance data on each EIS program and the date the data were obtained. If a Lead Agency is using sampling for one or more indicators, the Lead Agency must sample on the performance of each EIS program on each of those indicators at least once during the course of the SPP. Further, if a Lead Agency is using sampling, the Lead Agency must collect data from a representative sample of EIS programs each year in order to report on State performance annually.

To submit an SPP and/or APR:

Submit a copy of the SPP and/or APR to the following address:

U.S. Department of Education

ATTN: Janet Scire / Mail Stop 2600

7100 Old Landover Road

Landover, MD, 20785-1506

If available, a corresponding electronic text file of the SPP and/or APR should be submitted to [email protected]

The submission requirements, tables, and templates that should be used to complete the Part C SPP and/or APR can be accessed electronically at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/index.html.

If you have any further questions about the SPP and/or APR and/or the submission options listed above, please contact your OSEP Part C State contact.

II. State Performance Plan (SPP)

The State Performance Plan (FFY 2005-2010) was submitted on December 2, 2005 and is to be reviewed by the State at least once every six years. The Secretary shall review each SPP. A SPP shall be deemed approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary makes a written determination, prior to the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary received the plan, that the plan does not meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1416, including the specific provisions described at 20 U.S.C. 1416(b).

Lead Agencies are to provide information, as instructed, in the following section of the SPP Template:

Overview of State Performance Plan Development:

• Provide a description of the process the Lead Agency used to develop the SPP. The description must include how the Lead Agency:

• Obtained ‘broad input’ from stakeholders; and

• Will disseminate the SPP to the public.

Information found in the following sections of the SPP Template is provided by the Secretary:

Monitoring Priority:

• A prioritized area in which Lead Agency and EIS programs’ performance is measured. Monitoring priorities are determined by the Secretary.

Indicator:

• A statement used to help quantify and/or qualify a monitoring priority. Indicators are determined by the Secretary.

Measurement:

• Specific measures, determined by the Secretary and in designated cases by the Lead Agency, used to quantify or qualify given indicators. Measurements are determined by the Secretary or in designated cases by the Lead Agency.

Lead Agencies are to provide information, as instructed, in the following sections of the SPP Template:

Overview of Issue/Description of System or Process:

• Provide an overview or description of the issue (e.g., Child Find/Public Awareness) or system (e.g., monitoring).

Baseline Data:

• Provide baseline data using the measurements provided by the Secretary or as determined by the Lead Agency.

Discussion of Baseline Data:

• Provide clarification needed in regard to the baseline data.

FFY:

• Indicate the federal fiscal year on which data are being reported.

Measurable and Rigorous Target:

• Designate, for each indicator, the desired level of performance to be reached for each specified federal fiscal year (FFY).

• Baseline, targets, and improvement activities for Indicators 4 and 12 are to be provided with the FFY 2005 (2005-2006) APR due February 1, 2007.

• For Indicator 3, provide entry data on February 1, 2007. Baseline, targets, and improvement activities based on progress data that are to be provided with the FFY 2006 APR are due February 1, 2008. In the February 1, 2007 APR, describe how data are to be collected so that the State will be able to report baseline data, targets, and improvement activities with the FFY 2006 APR due February 1, 2008.

• Targets for Indicators 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14 cannot be less than 100%.

Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:

• Describe how the Lead Agency will improve performance for each indicator, including activities, timelines, and resources.

III. Annual Performance Report

The State Annual Performance Report is to be submitted annually in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(2)(C)(ii)(II) and 1442. The first APR will be due February 1, 2007. The State shall report annually to the public on the performance of each EIS program located in the State on the targets in the State’s performance plan. The State shall report annually to the Secretary and the public on the performance of the State under the State’s performance plan.

Lead Agencies are to provide information, as instructed, in the following section of the APR Template:

Overview of the Annual Performance Report Development:

• Provide a description of the process the Lead Agency used to develop the APR. The description must include how and when the Lead Agency will report annually to the public on the:

• Progress and/or slippage in meeting the ‘measurable and rigorous targets’ found in the SPP; and

• Performance of each EIS program located in the State on the targets in the SPP.

Information found in the following sections of the APR Template is provided by the Secretary:

Monitoring Priority:

• A prioritized area in which Lead Agency and EIS programs’ performance is measured. Monitoring priorities are determined by the Secretary.

Indicator:

• A statement used to help quantify and/or qualify a monitoring priority. Indicators are determined by the Secretary.

Measurement:

• Specific measures, determined by the Secretary and in designated cases by the Lead Agency, used to quantify or qualify given indicators. Measurements are determined by the Secretary or in designated cases by the Lead Agency.

Lead Agencies are to provide information, as instructed, in the following sections of the APR Template:

FFY:

• Indicate the federal fiscal year on which data are being reported.

Measurable and Rigorous Target:

• Designate, for each indicator, the desired level of performance to be reached for the specified FFY.

Actual Target Data for (Insert FFY):

• Provide the actual target data for the given indicator.

Discussion of Improvement Activities Completed and Explanation of Progress or Slippage that occurred for (Insert FFY):

• Analyze data to form a basis for this discussion. Describe the improvement activities implemented during the FFY and progress on meeting the targets. Describe any slippage, e.g., lack of progress on the target, improvement activities not completed, etc., that has occurred and how the State plans to address the slippage through adjustments or improvements made in State programs, policies, or practices. Provide an explanation of performance data in this section, if needed.

• The Lead Agencies shall not report to the public or the Secretary any information on performance that would result in the disclosure of personally identifiable information about individual children or where the available data is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information, i.e., numbers are too small.

Revisions, with Justification, to Proposed Targets / Improvement Activities / Timelines / Resources for (Insert FFY):

• Provide information on revised targets, activities, timelines or resources. This information should include the State's revisions to the SPP and justification for the revisions. Revisions to targets, activities, timelines or resources do not relieve the State of its responsibility to provide "Actual Target Data" for the given year.

4. Related Requirements

This document includes a list of the Monitoring Priorities and Indicators and the requirements from the statutes and regulations that are related to each Priority and Indicator. The purpose of this document is to inform States of the statutory and/or regulatory requirements related to each Indicator that will be reviewed by OSEP as part of Focused Monitoring. That is, if OSEP determines that it will do Focused Monitoring in a State because that State is low performing or in noncompliance with a specific indicator, OSEP will review the Related Requirements for that Indicator as part of the Focused Monitoring. OSEP encourages States to examine their general supervision systems to determine how they address these Related Requirements.

1 Monitoring Priorities, indicators, and measurements included on the Part C Indicator Measurement Table are to be used to complete designated sections of the SPP and APR Templates. Templates containing monitoring priorities, indicators, and measurements can be found at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/capr/index.html

2 Lead Agencies are not required to provide the actual numbers for Indicators 2, 5 and 6 if they are using data for these Indicators the percentages that the State reported for its December 1, 2005 IDEA Section 618 child count and service settings data collection report that was due in February 2006 (Information collection 1820-0557). (These data have been previously calculated by the lead agency and the child count data for Fall 2005 are presented on www.ideadata.org.

Part C SPP/APR Part C SPP/APR Instruction Sheet – Section I - 2

(OMB NO: 1820-0578 / Expiration Date:)