Significant Disproportionality

The December 2016 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require each state to develop a standard methodology to identify local education agencies (LEAs) with significant disproportionality and ensure that children with disabilities are properly identified for services, receive necessary services in the least restrictive environment, and are not disproportionately removed from their educational placements by disciplinary removals.

To facilitate the regulatory process, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) conducted three stakeholder forums to obtain public comment on the required significant disproportionality standard methodology. In addition to these forums, the Bureau of Special Education is seeking written input.

To facilitate written input, there is a brief webinar located on the Pennsylvania Technical Training and Assistance Network (PaTTAN) website that provides information regarding the terminology for significant disproportionality, including an overview for the required methodology and the input questions for the flexible parameters within the methodology.

General information about significant disproportionality.

Question concerning data/statistical methodology for determining significant disproportionality may be addressed to Dan Ficca, c-dficca@pa.gov or Jodi Rissinger, jrissinger@pa.gov . For fiscal questions related to the 15% set aside, you may contact N. Craig Scott at nscot@pa.gov .