Annual Determinations

IDEA 2004 requires states to issue annual determinations to all districts regarding their implementation of part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA Section 616(a), CFR 300.600 & 300.602, and WAC 392-172A-07012

The four levels of determination are:

1. Meets Requirements
2. Needs Assistance
3. Needs Intervention
4. Needs Substantial Intervention

Washington uses the federally required criteria for calculating district determinations:

1. Audit results
2. Timely correction of non-compliance
3. Timely and accurate data
4. Performance on the compliance indicators (indicators 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13)

Note: Indicator 4b will be added for 2011-12. Determinations to be issued November 2012.

Districts are notified of their determination level on November 1st of each year through iGrants form package 442. This notification also includes official non-compliance identified in the district which must be corrected as soon as possible, but no later than one year from notification. (Note: The verification (confirmation) of corrections by the local Educational Service District (ESD) and the validation (approval) of corrections by OSPI must also occur within this one year timeline.) More information about the process for annual determinations is found below:

• Special Education Accountability Q&A – revised August 2010 – This question and answer document addresses the primary federal and Washington state requirements for accountability under IDEA, including district determinations, correction of non-compliance, the program review process, and significant disproportionality.
• Rubric (PDF) used for making district determinations in Washington State (PDF)
• Enforcement actions (PDF)
• Special Education Accountability (PDF) – overview presentation (presented by OSPI at the August 2012 OSPI/WASA Special Education Conference).

District Determinations 2011-12 School Year

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires the U.S. Department of Education to make annual “determinations” as to the overall compliance of each State with the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. States are likewise required to make “determinations” as to the level of overall compliance of each district within the State. OSPI is making this information available to the public pursuant to WAC 392-172A-07025.