Public comment period open for Special Education Methodology Updates and Target Setting

8/6/2024

Stakeholders who serve or have a connection to students with disabilities are encouraged to provide input on Ohio’s methodology and targets for federal special education indicators.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) established a series of special education “indicators” to measure services and results for students with disabilities. The Department is engaging stakeholders to review and revise methodology for four of these special education indicators to ensure it is appropriately analyzing local implementation of these equity measures:

• Significant Discrepancy in Long-Term Suspensions/Expulsions (Indicator 4a) 
• Significant Discrepancy in Long-Term Suspensions/Expulsions by Race/Ethnicity (Indicator 4b) 
• Disproportionate Representation of Racial/Ethnic Groups Identified with disabilities (Indicator 9) 
• Disproportionate Representation of Racial/Ethnic Groups Identified with Specific Disabilities (Indicator 10) 

Additionally, the Department must set new targets for two special education indicators based on new baselines: 

• Graduation (Indicator 1): A new baseline was established for graduation rate based on new methodology that began with the 2022-2023 school year. Targets must be set for the 2023-2024 through 2024-2025 school years. 
• Dropout (Indicator 2): A new baseline was established for graduation rate based on new methodology that began with the 2022-2023 school year. Targets must be set for the 2023-2024 through 2024-2025 school years. 

The proposed methodology and target options for each indicator are posted.

The Department is requesting public comment on the proposed methodology and targets. Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 23. Stakeholders are encouraged to share this opportunity to gather as much input as possible.

Send questions to specialedtargets@education.ohio.gov.