Technical Assistance on State Data Collection Grants

The purpose of the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program is to improve the capacity of States to meet IDEA data collection and reporting requirements, including those required under sections 1416 and 1418 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Section 1416 of the IDEA requires States to submit to the Department, and make available to the public, a State performance plan (SPP) and an annual performance report (APR) with data on how each State implements both Parts B and C of the IDEA to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Section 1418 of the IDEA requires States to submit to the Department, and make available to the public, quantitative data on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities who are receiving early intervention and special education services under IDEA. Funding for the program is authorized under section 1411(c)(1) of IDEA, which gives the Secretary the authority to reserve funds appropriated under Part B for each fiscal year to provide technical assistance (TA) activities authorized under section 1416(i). Section 1416(i) of IDEA requires the Secretary to review the data collection and analysis capacity of States to ensure that data and information determined necessary for implementation of section 1416 of IDEA are collected, analyzed, and accurately reported to the Secretary. It also requires the Secretary to provide TA, where needed, to improve the capacity of States to meet the data collection requirements under IDEA.