ISBE ensures all LEAs are monitored each year through its general supervision system; the agency also began working to implement an additional layer to ensure LEAs that were most at risk were provided with the appropriate tiered level of support. In July 2023, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) issued the State General Supervision Responsibilities under Parts B and C of the IDEA: Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement guidance document, more commonly known as OSEP QA 23-01. With the issuance of OSEP QA 23-01, ISBE began to reexamine its differentiated monitoring processes to ensure that the LEAs that were most at risk for needing supports were being provided the most intensive level of support. This examination process resulted in ISBE deciding to add an additional layer onto its current system.
To ensure all LEAs are comprehensively monitored, ISBE implemented a cyclical monitoring system in addition to yearly LEA Determinations. Each LEA has been placed into a cohort group as part of a cyclical monitoring process that is much like the current Differentiated Monitoring and Support 2.0 monitoring system that OSEP is utilizing to monitor each state. Placement in the cohort groups is based on several risk factors that include components of ISBE’s general supervision system. LEAs can be moved to another cohort if ISBE identifies additional risks that warrant the LEA to be included in an earlier cycle. These risks could include, but are not limited to, credible allegations, increased number of state complaint findings, fiscal risks, or continued noncompliance with State Performance Plan indicators.
