Indicator 13: What is it and why are we struggling to meet the requirements?

What is it??? 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized on December 3, 2004 and its provisions became effective on July 1, 2005. In conjunction with the reauthorization, the U. S. Department of Education through the Office of Special Education Programs required states to develop a six-year State Performance Plan in December of 2005 around 20 indicators, on which data will be submitted annually (beginning February 2007) in Annual Performance Reports.
The 13th Indicator of the State Performance Plan relates to transition services for students: “Percent of youth aged 16 and above with an individualized education program (IEP) that includes coordinated, measurable, annual IEP goals and transition services that will reasonably enable the student to meet the post-secondary goals.” [20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(B)]

What is the problem??? 

The reason districts are having problems meeting this standard is that the data reported this year was collected using IEP transition plans, goals and objectives from the 2006-07 school year; when districts were just becoming aware of this indicator.  ISBE recognized that the 2006-07 school year was a time of development and learning for many districts with regard to the collection and reporting of Indicator 13 data.  Therefore, they gave all districts that did not meet requirements a “Needs Assistance” score of 3.  This allows districts a grace period which keeps Indicator 13 reporting issues from affecting district overall LEA determinations,  From this time forward, districts who do not meet requirements will be required to review its policies, procedures and practices and submit an improvement plan for ISBE review.

What can we do about it???

There are several resources available to assist districts in meeting the requirements.  We have included many of these in the resources section of this webpage.  For additional information, districts can visit the ISBE website. 

Jan Pearcy