SPP Indicator 14: A results indicator that measures the percentage of youth who are no longer in secondary school, had IEPs in effect at the time they left school, and were:
- Enrolled in higher education within one year of leaving high school,
- Enrolled in higher education or competitively employed within one year of leaving high school, or
- Enrolled in higher education or in some other postsecondary education or training program; or competitively employed or in some other employment within one year of leaving high school.
Goal
The goal of Indicator 14 is for youth who are no longer in secondary school, and had IEPs in effect at the time they left school, to be enrolled in higher education or in some other postsecondary education or training program or competitively employed or in some other employment within one year of leaving high school.
Measurement
- Percent enrolled in higher education = [(# of youth who are no longer in secondary school, had IEPs in effect at the time they left school and were enrolled in higher education within one year of leaving high school) divided by the (# of respondent youth who are no longer in secondary school and had IEPs in effect at the time they left school)] times 100.
- Percent enrolled in higher education or competitively employed within one year of leaving high school = [(# of youth who are no longer in secondary school, had IEPs in effect at the time they left school and were enrolled in higher education or competitively employed within one year of leaving high school) divided by the (# of respondent youth who are no longer in secondary school and had IEPs in effect at the time they left school)] times 100.
- Percent enrolled in higher education, or in some other postsecondary education or training program; or competitively employed or in some other employment = [(# of youth who are no longer in secondary school, had IEPs in effect at the time they left school and were enrolled in higher education, or in some other postsecondary education or training program; or competitively employed or in some other employment) divided by the (# of respondent youth who are no longer in secondary school and had IEPs in effect at the time they left school)] times 100.
Data Source
The ISBE data source is I-Star.
Targets for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020-25
SPP 14A - FFY20-24 target of 29.6%
SPP 14A - FFY25 target of 30%
SPP 14B - FFY20-24 target of 63.5%
SPP 14B - FFY25 target of 66%
SPP 14C - FFY20-24 target of 75.75%
SPP 14C - FFY25 target of 78.25%
Typical survey window: May 1 through August 31
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SPP Indicator Support Guide

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Selected Districts 2021-2024

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Selected CPS High Schools 2021-2025

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Suggestions for Post-School Outcomes (Indicator 14) Data Collection

- Sample District Letter to Former Student
- Illinois Post-School Survey Interview Questions and Interviewer Script
- Illinois Post-School Survey Expanded Version Interview Questions and Interviewer Script
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Contacting Hard-to Find Youth: Strategies for the Post-School Survey
Yearly, approximately 100,000 former students who had an individual education plan (IEP) when they left high school are contacted to participate in a post-school survey. Efforts are made to contact youth who represent a variety of disabilities, as well as, minority youth and those who left high school with a diploma or dropped out of high school. Nevertheless, there are groups of youth who are difficult to contact and who are routinely underrepresented in the post-school survey data (e.g., those students who leave school early). To learn strategies for contacting youth who are hard-to-find, the National Post-School Outcomes Center conducted six focus groups with young adults and their family members in four states. This document summarizes the strategies recommended by youth and their families. Strategies are organized by five common themes.
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Collecting Post-School Outcomes Data: Strategies for Increasing Response Rates
As states grapple with collecting post-school outcome data, many are seeking guidance on strategies for improving response rates, especially for students who exit school early and informally by dropping out. The brief contains an overview of the requirement to collect post-school outcome data and challenges experienced by states in collecting these data. Recommendations and strategies that states can use to secure sufficient response rates, especially from youth who drop out of school, are provided.
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Measuring Transition Success: Focus on Youth and Family Participation

American youth with disabilities now have an opportunity to participate in shaping the future of special education in our country. To determine how well schools are preparing youth with disabilities for success after high school, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requires states to find out whether their former special education students have pursued further education or found competitive employment within one year of leaving high school. Youth and family participation in these post-school outcome data collection efforts has the potential to usher in a new era of effective, evidence-based transition programs and practices.
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Transition Out of High School: A Quick Stats Fact Sheet
The transition from high school into college or the workforce is a key turning point in the lives of young people. Regardless of their chosen careers or academic paths after high school, young people must have the capacity to grapple with complex problems in order to maximize their potential for professional and personal success. This fact sheet from the National High School provides statistics highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities facing high school students after graduation.
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Advice from the Field: Perspectives of State Directors of Special Education Regarding Post-School Outcomes Data and Indicator 14
The National Post School Outcomes Center (NPSO), in conjunction with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), conducted a focus group with several state directors of special education to (a) discuss the collection of their post-school outcomes data and (b) share their experiences and suggestions with other state directors, especially those who are new to their positions.
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Setting Up Post School Data Collection
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Outcomes Data up to 6 Years After High School
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Post-School Outcomes Data Collection and Use: Teachers as Partners
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I-Star Student User Guide
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SIS data elements
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State Performance Plan, Data, and Accountability
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ISBE Special Education Data Road Map
