Ed. Dept. Evaluation of Spec. Ed. Programs Focuses on Data Collection

The U.S. Department of Education’s first crack at evaluating special education programs in the states appears to be more of an assessment of each state’s data-collection efforts than of the programs themselves, special education officials say.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as reauthorized in 2004 , Congress outlined several areas that states are to monitor to make sure they’re providing the best education for students with disabilities. Based on that directive, the Education Department created 34 “indicators” that states must track annually for children eligible to receive special education services from infancy to age 21.

Each state must also develop a performance plan that...