State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education (Page 130 of 277) in pdf

State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 130

Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit

Part B State Performance Plan

Monitoring Priority: Disproportionality

Indicator 09: Disproportionality – Eligibility Category

Percent of districts with disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education and

related services that is the result of inappropriate identification (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(C))

Measurement

Percent = [(# of districts with disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special

education and related services that is the result of inappropriate identification) divided by the (# of districts

in the State)] times 100.

Include State’s definition of “disproportionate representation.”

Based on its review of the 618 data for FFY 2011, describe how the State made its annual determination that

the disproportionate over-representation it identified of racial and ethnic groups in special education and

related services was the result of inappropriate identification as required by §§300.600(d)(3) and 300.602(a),

e.g., using monitoring data; reviewing policies, practices and procedures, etc. In determining

disproportionate representation, analyze data, for each district, for all racial and ethnic groups in the district,

or all racial and ethnic groups in the district that meet a minimum 'n' size set by the State. Report on the

percent of districts in which disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education

and related services is the result of inappropriate identification, even if the determination of inappropriate

identification was made after the end of the FFY 2011 reporting period, i.e., after June 30, 2012. If

inappropriate identification is identified, report on corrective actions taken.

Identification –All Disabilities

In order to demonstrate educational equity, relative to opportunity, services, and decision-making, the racial

composition of students receiving special education services in a school district should be proportionally

similar to the composition of students in the district. Thus, it is important to ensure that these students in a

school district are not disproportionately represented in special education in contrast with other students in

the district.

To identify disproportionate race/ethnic representation, Arkansas uses Westat's Risk Ratio application.

However, the State has applied its own criteria in applying the risk ratio.

Over-Representation

A risk ratio methodology is being used to determine if a district has disproportionate representation. District

enrollment and special education child count data were examined and adjusted according to the following

criteria.

1. Using the December 1 child count for the selected year, students were identified if they were

receiving services in a private residential treatment program. These students were removed from

the special education child count numbers and the district October 1 enrollment numbers for the

selected year. The reason for excluding students in private residential treatment facilities is in the

State rules governing private residential treatment facilities. These rules state that a student

belongs to the district where the facility is located; therefore, enrollment of such students

artificially increases the district’s special education child count and district wide enrollment.

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State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 130