Georgia Makes Progress with IDEA

The state of Georgia is making progress in meeting all the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

However, Georgia – like 37 other states – needs to make improvements in some areas. As a state, Georgia met the expectations of the federal government in seven of nine indicators of compliance with IDEA. The two indicators that Georgia’s did not meet expectations, based on 2005-2006 data, are as follows:

The federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) expects 100 percent of children who turn three and were determined to be eligible for services to have an Individualized Education Plan. In Georgia, this percentage was 84 percent, which was up from the previous year (FY2005).

The federal Office of Special Education Progress (OSEP) expects 100 percent of all evaluations to determine if a child has special needs to occur within 60 days. In Georgia, this percentage was 88 percent, which was up from the previous year (FY2005).

OSEP has determined that Georgia is a “Needs Assistance” state for the second consecutive year. Georgia is one of 31 “Needs Assistance” states and one of 23 states in the second consecutive year of such status. There are six additional states, plus the District of Columbia, that are in the more serious "needs intervention" status.

IDEA requires the state to notify the public of its determination, which is the purpose of this press release.

Georgia must now avail itself of technical assistance offered by the U.S. Department of Education to improve compliance in the two areas listed above. That technical assistance will be shared with the local systems to improve compliance.

The GaDOE reports publicly each year on the state’s progress and on the performance of districts on the indicators included in the State Performance Plan and the Annual Performance Report. These public reports can be found on the Georgia Department of Education's Website at http://www.gadoe.org/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=211&PID=61&PTID=67&CTID=216&StateId=ALL&T=0&RID=105.
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