Overview: Building Knowledge about Data
State lead agencies for IDEA Part C (early intervention) and Part B 619 (early childhood special education) programs partner with stakeholders for many purposes, including collaborating on program improvement initiatives and preparing annual reports on program implementation. Data play a role in virtually every aspect of the administration of IDEA Part C and Part B 619 programs. This toolkit orients Part C and Part B 619 stakeholders to IDEA data and other data-related topics to help them meaningfully participate in conversations about programmatic issues and decisions.
Part C and 619 staff are encouraged to share this toolkit with stakeholders as a self-guided resource and/or use it with stakeholders in a facilitated manner. Stakeholders can build upon the introductory knowledge gained from using this toolkit by seeking opportunities to learn more about their states’ IDEA data. Participating in conversations about how their state collects, analyzes, and uses data to improve results for children and families will provide stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the topics addressed in this toolkit.
To learn more, select a topic below. The Introduction provides information about how to use this toolkit.
Critical Stakeholder Groups
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state establish a State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) for the purpose of advising the Part C lead agency in the implementation of its early intervention program. Depending on the state, the scope of the SICC may include the Part B 619 program. Similarly, IDEA requires that each state establish a State Advisory Panel (SAP) to advise on the implementation of Part B (ages 3-21) special education programs. Stakeholders represented on SICCs and SAPs include but are not limited to:
- Families
- Local service providers
- Personnel preparation representatives (e.g., faculty from institutions of higher education)
- Staff from programs that partner with Part C and Part B 619 to serve children with disabilities and their families throughout the community, e.g., public health programs
Connections to DaSy Data System Framework
Data Use Subcomponent/Quality Indicator 6a: Part C/619 state staff or representatives provide multiple resources and tools for a variety of data users to facilitate access to data and to support data use.
Published June 2017.