Special Education Profile Data: Solving Problems of Practice Through Data Analysis
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) established a series of special education “indicators” to measure each school district’s services and results for students with disabilities. The Ohio Department of Education works with stakeholders to set annual targets – or goals – for how districts should perform on these indicators.
Every year, districts receive a Special Education Profile that shows whether they are meeting their goals, over time, for students with disabilities. The design of the Special Education Profile helps districts use data about services and outcomes for students with disabilities to keep improving their special education programs. These data give schools answers about kindergarten readiness, achievement levels, access to general education environments, preparedness for life beyond high school, services for children with disabilities, and equitable outcomes.
The primary basis of each district’s 2021-2022 Special Education Profile is the final special education program data that districts submitted through the state’s Education Management Information System (EMIS) for the 2020-2021 school years. The Special Education Profile also reflects a district’s performance on each indicator for up to four previous years. (Source: Ohio Department of Education)
Results for Students with Disabilities
The Special Education Profiles notify districts of their performance on the key indicators set forth by IDEA. Profiles also inform districts of any activities they must complete based on these indicators. The report includes data only about students with disabilities, unless otherwise shown.
Solving Problems of Practice Through Data Analysis
In the May 19, 2022 InspirED episode, Shawna Benson from the Teaching Diverse Learners Center at OCALI and Andrea DiFrancesco, Education Program Specialist – Urban Support from the Ohio Department of Education model the use of a data collection template that can be populated with Special Education Profile and other data sets as a tool for problem solving. They explore a sample problem of practice that challenges the service provision for learners with disabilities. Other relevant examples could include topics such as disproportionality, LRE across subgroups, access to Tier 1 instruction across subgroups, graduation outcomes across subgroups, language and literacy outcomes across subgroups, etc.
Get the Details
These are just a few of the topics explored in the recent InspirED Virtual Learning Series episode, Revisiting Special Education Profile Data: Solving Problems of Practice Through Data Analysis.
Free Summer Braille Series & Other Online Resources
For 17 years, Ohio has been the recipient of a braille training grant from the Federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, known as the Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST).
The BEST project is a statewide program of professional development and technical assistance dedicated to braille literacy, braille instruction, braille materials, and braille technology in Ohio schools. The goals of the BEST project include:
- Enhancing the competency of preservice and in-service educators, paraprofessionals, and others to provide braille literacy instruction and support across all academic areas including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM);
- Enhancing the competency of pre-service and in-service educators, paraprofessionals, and others to efficiently and effectively acquire and create braille materials; and
- Increasing educators’ and others’ ability to apply strategies learned in the BEST project trainings and other activities to more effectively manage the braille needs of their students through the support of follow-up technical assistance or resources.
As part of the BEST Grant’s goals to support the implementation of braille instruction and braille technology, the BEST Grant is providing professional development trainings and webinars in the following areas:
STEM: These online training sessions will help you to learn how to teach and provide access to STEM subjects for students who use braille.
Reading/Writing: Learn braille and how to effectively teach braille to students to access reading and writing activities with these online training opportunities.
Accessible Documents & The Production Of AEM: These online training sessions offered within this category will focus on the creation and development of accessible documents along with utilizing tools and features within applications to support the production of accessible educational materials.
Register Now
Registration is free, but attendees must register in advance. The events have a limited number of participants. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What’s New at OCALI
OCALI is Hiring! Multi-System Youth and Family Regional Coaches
Looking for a way to make an impact in the lives of young people, while growing a rewarding career with a fun, fast-paced organization? OCALI is hiring professionals with a passion for making a difference for unique positions as Multi-System Youth and Family Regional Coaches. These Regional Coaches work with youth with complex needs (MI/IDD) and their families in their homes.
Transition to Adulthood Consultant
OCALI is seeking a full-time, experienced Transition to Adulthood Consultant. Essential to this position is the belief that all people can contribute, that youth with disabilities belong in the community and workforce and have the right to engage in opportunities to create a meaningful life.
June 2, 9am-12pm: Unlocking the English Code: Assessments for Learners Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired
Identify layers of assessment and how data from each layer can be used for learners who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired.
June 14, 7 pm: STABLE Accounts Workshop
June 14: Register and learn how STABLE accounts help individuals with disabilities save for eligible expenses, invest for future needs, and keep their benefits.
June 16, 4-4:30 pm.: New InspirED Session
Be At Your BEST – The Ohio Braille Training Grant Program
For 17 years, Ohio has been the recipient of a braille training grant from the Federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, known as the Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST). The BEST project is a statewide program of professional development and technical assistance dedicated to braille literacy, braille instruction, braille materials, and braille technology in Ohio schools. Learn more about upcoming trainings and resources available.
November 2022-March 2023: Educational Identification of Students with ASD Virtual Training Series
This introductory training series with 10 two-hour sessions is designed for school-based evaluation teams that want to learn more about the process for educational identification of students with ASD. Registration for next year’s series is now open. Space is limited.
OCALICONLINE 2022
Don’t miss your chance to join over 15,000 of your peers and colleagues from all 50 states + 50 countries! Register now for OCACLICONLINE 2022 – coming November 15-18 to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone near you! Closing out the 2022 fiscal year? There’s no better time to register! Send your whole team and amplify the impact across your organization or school.
2022 Innovation Spotlight Series – Recordings Available
This spring, OCALI partnered with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to produce a series of on-demand videos that showcase innovation around the state in person-centered planning, community membership, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities across Ohio.
OCALI Now 