Significant Disproportionality
The December 2016 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require each state to develop a standard methodology to identify local education agencies (LEAs) with significant disproportionality and ensure that children with disabilities are properly identified for services, receive necessary services in the least restrictive environment, and are not disproportionately removed from their educational placements by disciplinary removals.
To facilitate the regulatory process, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) conducted three stakeholder forums to obtain public comment on the required significant disproportionality standard methodology. In addition to these
forums, the Bureau of Special Education is seeking written input.
To facilitate written input, there is a brief webinar located on the Pennsylvania Technical Training and Assistance Network (PaTTAN) website that provides information regarding the terminology for significant disproportionality, including an overview for the required methodology and the input questions for the flexible parameters within the methodology.