Category: IDEA Compliance

Preschoolers with and without disabilities building a block tower together on a classroom rug, an inclusive early childhood special education setting

Early Childhood Special Education: IDEA Rules for Ages 3 to 5

How IDEA Part B serves children ages 3 to 5: section 619 grants, the move from early intervention, developmental delay, settings, outcomes and data.
Students using a switch and picture cards with a teacher during a Dynamic Learning Maps testlet

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM): States, Essential Elements and Testlets

What Dynamic Learning Maps is, which states use it in 2026-27, Essential Elements, testlets and Kite, training, released testlets and score reports.
High school students working in pairs in a New Jersey classroom served under the New Jersey special education code

New Jersey Special Education Code: A Guide to N.J.A.C. 6A:14

What N.J.A.C. 6A:14 contains, where to read it, its readoption and latest amendments, key timelines, PRISE and the 2025 law on annual IEP meetings.
Middle school students working together while a parent meets a teacher about Ohio procedural safeguards

Ohio Procedural Safeguards: Parent Rights Guide, ETR and Disputes

Find Ohio's 2025 Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education, see when districts must give it, the ETR and IEP timelines and how disputes work.
Fifth grader working on a hands-on task with an outside examiner during an independent educational evaluation

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): Rights, Timelines and Costs

How an independent educational evaluation works: who pays, how districts must respond, criteria and cost limits, state timelines and a sample letter.
Elementary students reading together while a parent meets a teacher about Michigan procedural safeguards

Michigan Procedural Safeguards: MDE Notice, MARSE and Disputes

Find the MDE procedural safeguards notice, see when Michigan districts must give it, the MARSE school-day timelines and how disputes are resolved.
High school students with and without disabilities walking together, the outcomes that SPP/APR indicators measure

SPP/APR: IDEA Part B Indicators, Determinations and 2026 Results

The State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report: the 18 Part B indicators, the RDA matrix, 2026 determinations and significant disproportionality.
Two students practicing with picture cards and a switch in the format used by an alternate assessment

Alternate Assessment: Who Qualifies, the 1% Cap and the Tests

Who takes an alternate assessment, the federal rules and the 1% cap, diploma effects, the DLM, MSAA and state tests in use in 2026-27, and a checklist.
Young student holding a parent's hand at the school office as staff hand over a notice, illustrating prior written notice examples

Prior Written Notice Examples: 8 Sample Notices and the IDEA Rules

Eight original prior written notice examples, from initial evaluation to graduation, plus when PWN is required, its seven elements and timing rules.
Third grader reading one-on-one with a special education teacher before school during compensatory services

Compensatory Services in Special Education: Rules, Calculation and Plan

When compensatory services are owed under IDEA, how to calculate and document them, how they differ from ESY, and an example compensatory plan.