Special Education Accountability Training

Welcome to the Special Education Data and Accountability Training Hub

This dedicated resource is designed to build your understanding of the IDEA data that goes into Ohio’s Special Education Profile and Ratings. These presentations offer focused, in‑depth learning on individual data topics to strengthen your special education data literacy. Each session is up to two hours in length. Whether you’re a superintendent, EMIS coordinator, administrator, school psychologist, ESC or SST consultant, or an ITC professional, these trainings are tailored to help you accurately report and understand the data included within the Profile.

Upcoming trainings

Validating Graduation and Readiness Data Webinar

This training focuses on helping districts understand how to validate graduation and readiness measures. Participants will learn how EMIS submission elements feed these indicators, how to use SDC and Level 2 reports to cross‑check data, and how to identify common issues that may impact graduation cohorts or readiness metrics. The session emphasizes practical steps districts can take to ensure clean, defensible data throughout the reporting year.

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previous Trainings

The Story of Amira: Amira's Journey through the Special Education Indicators

This session brings IDEA indicators to life through the lens of a student’s journey. Rather than viewing compliance as a checklist, we’ll explore how timelines, educational environments, progress monitoring, and discipline intersect to shape meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities. Using Amira’s story—from early intervention through graduation and post-school success—we’ll demonstrate how accurate EMIS reporting and strong practices empower schools to meet federal requirements while improving services. Attendees will gain practical insights into why these indicators matter and how they drive continuous improvement for students, families, and districts.
 

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Student Exit Data Collection (Indicator 14) 

This session provides an in-depth overview of Ohio’s Exiting Student Data Collection process for students with disabilities, aligned with federal IDEA Part B Indicator 14 requirements. Participants learn about the purpose and components of post-school outcomes reporting, the definitions of engagement categories (higher education, competitive employment, other employment, and other postsecondary education or training), and how these data help inform state and district improvement efforts.

The training walks through required data elements, detailed question-and-reporting guidance for EMIS, and the use of Ohio’s Indicator 14 templates and resources. Topics include employment and education follow-up requirements, military and service program reporting, and how to ensure accurate, consistent, and representative data collection practices. The session also highlights strategies for increasing response rates, improving data quality, and understanding district responsibilities during the annual Exiting Student Follow-Up collection window. FAQs address common reporting questions, timelines, and coordination across districts.

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Validating Indicator Data

This session provides a foundational look at how districts can strengthen the accuracy and confidence of their special education data through intentional team structures, improved data literacy, and the effective use of state reporting tools. Participants will learn strategies for building and sustaining data teams that promote shared ownership and understanding of special education indicators. The session will also build attendees’ data literacy by breaking down the indicator concepts, helping participants understand what each indicator measures, why it matters, and how the data inform local decision-making.

In addition, the session will guide participants through the EMIS and Secure Data Center (SDC) reports available to validate special education data. Attendees will explore how these reports support the verification of data submissions and contribute to accurate Special Education Profiles and Ratings. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with practical steps and resources to confidently review, interpret, and validate indicator data to support continuous improvement efforts.

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Deep Dive into Secure Data Center (SDC) Reports

This advanced session offers a comprehensive exploration of the Secure Data Center (SDC) and the wide range of reports available to support data validation and continuous improvement efforts. Building on earlier sessions, attendees will dig deeper into how the SDC organizes student-level and aggregate data, how access roles impact what users can view, and how districts can use SDC tools to proactively review EMIS‑submitted data ahead of public reporting. Participants will examine key SDC report tiles that feed into the Ohio School Report Cards as well as the Special Education Profiles and Ratings.

Attendees will walk through navigating SSID‑level details, interpreting report fields, identifying anomalies, and understanding data refresh timelines. Time will be spent reviewing examples of how SDC reports can highlight data quality issues, support troubleshooting, and strengthen district-level data governance processes.

At the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how to leverage SDC reports for validation, communication, and data-driven decision-making.

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Laying the Groundwork - Building Effective Data Teams 

This session introduces districts to the foundational structure of the Ohio School Report Cards and the IDEA Special Education Profiles. It aims to familiarize district staff with insights into Data Literacy, Data Teams, and Resources to aide in building effective data teams. The training prepares participants for the remainder of the year’s sessions by establishing baseline understanding of terminology, data sources, and the essential reporting mechanics districts must know to validate their information effectively.

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Recorded Videos and Resources

Special Education Data 

Profile

Data Validation

Other Secure Data Center (SDC) 

SDC: IDEA Data Available

Last Modified: 9/8/2026 3:00:40 PM