Special Education Services

LEA Determinations

According to 616(a)(1)(c)(i) and 300.600(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), States are required to make "Determinations" under 616(d) on the performance of Local Education Agencies and Early Intervention Service programs (LEA/EIS).

Essentially, Determinations are a way of designating the status of each LEA/EIS program in relation to one of four categories: (1) Meets Requirements, (2) Needs Assistance, (3) Needs Intervention and (4) Needs Substantial Intervention.

As implied, these categories represent various intensities of technical assistance and/or intervention. Each State is required to make such a determination using these categories for each and every LEA/EIS program within the state on an annual basis.

The US Department of Education through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is also required to engage in making a Determination for every State and US Territories.

In making their Determinations, States are required to consider the following:

LEA performance on Compliance Indicators (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Whether the data submitted were valid, reliable, and timely (Indicator 20)
Uncorrected Noncompliance from other sources (e.g. District Monitoring & Complaints) (Indicator 15)
IDEA Part B Audit Findings

In addition to these requirements, States may also consider LEA Performance on results indicators and other information it deems relevant. Each state is allowed to decide what general approach it will use to make these determinations as well as who will be involved, and what criteria it will use to identify the status of each LEA within the four required categories. Illinois convened a group of stakeholders to establish criteria for the LEA Determination process.

Below is some additional information on the LEA Determination process, tools, tips and resources.