• Back to the 2020 Annual Report

The 42nd Annual Report to Congress, 2020 presents data collected from States. The report also includes information from studies, evaluations, and databases of the Institute of Education Sciences and U.S. Census Bureau. Some key findings from Section I of the report, “Summary and Analysis of IDEA Section 618 Data at the National Level,” follow. To more completely understand the meaning and context for each of the findings featured below, the reader is advised to review the exhibit cited and the additional associated text.

Sections

• Infants and Toddlers Served Under IDEA, Part C
• Children Ages 3 Through 5 Served Under IDEA, Part B
• Students Ages 6 Through 21 Served Under IDEA, Part B
• Children and Students Ages 3 Through 21 Served Under IDEA, Part B

Infants and Toddlers Served Under IDEA, Part C

• In 2018, there were 409,315 infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C. Of those infants and toddlers, 406,582 were served in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. This number represented 3.5 percent of the birth-through-age-2 resident population in the 50 States and the District of Columbia (Exhibit 1).

• From 2009 through 2013, the percentage of the resident population of infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C, was 2.8 percent. In 2014, the percentage increased to 2.9 percent and continued to increase to 3.2 percent in 2017. The percentage increased to 3.5 percent in 2018. From 2009 through 2013, the percentage of 2-year-olds in the resident population of infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, fluctuated between 4.6 percent and 4.7 percent. In 2014, the percentage of 2-year-olds served increased to 4.9 percent and remained there in 2015. In 2016, the percentage of 2-year-olds served increased to 5.2 percent and increased again to 5.4 percent in 2017. In 2018, the percentage of 2-year-olds served increased further to 5.9 percent. The percentage of 1-year-olds in the resident population of infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, fluctuated between 2.6 percent and 2.7 percent from 2009 through 2014. In 2015, the percentage increased to 2.8 percent and continued to increase to 3.1 percent in 2018. From 2009 through 2014, the percentage of infants and toddlers under 1 year in the resident population served under IDEA, Part C, fluctuated between 1 and 1.1 percent. In 2015, the percentage increased to 1.2 percent and remained there through 2018 (Exhibit 2).

• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and White infants and toddlers had risk ratios of 1.3 and 1.1, respectively, indicating that infants and toddlers in each of these racial/ethnic groups were more likely than those in all other racial/ethnic groups combined to be served under IDEA, Part C. American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Black or African American infants and toddlers and infants and toddlers associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups all had risk ratios of 0.9, indicating that infants and toddlers in each of these groups were less likely than those in all other racial/ethnic groups combined to be served under IDEA, Part C. Hispanic/Latino infants and toddlers, with a risk ratio of 1, were as likely to be served under Part C as the infants and toddlers of all other racial/ethnic groups combined (Exhibit 3).

• Cumulative child count data reveal Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and White infants and toddlers had risk ratios of 1.4 and 1.1, respectively, indicating that infants and toddlers in each of these racial/ethnic groups were more likely than those in all other racial/ethnic groups combined to be served under IDEA, Part C. Cumulative child count data reveal American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Black or African American infants and toddlers and infants and toddlers associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups had risk ratios of 0.9, 0.9, 0.9, and 0.8, respectively, indicating that infants and toddlers in each of these groups were less likely than those in all other racial/ethnic groups combined to be served under IDEA, Part C. Cumulative child count data reveal Hispanic/Latino infants and toddlers had a risk ratio of 1, indicating they were as likely to be served under Part C as the infants and toddlers of all other racial/ethnic groups combined (Exhibit 4).

• In 2018, of the 409,315 infants and toddlers served under Part C, 89.7 percent received their early intervention services primarily in the home. The category of community-based setting was reported as the primary early intervention setting for 7.4 percent of those served under Part C. Consequently, 97.1 percent of infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, in 2018 received their early intervention services primarily in natural environments, which are defined as the home or a community-based setting (Exhibit 5).

• In 2018, home was the primary early intervention service setting for at least 83 percent of the infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C, in each racial/ethnic group. The largest percentage of infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, who received early intervention services in a community-based setting was associated with American Indian or Alaska Native infants and toddlers (13.9 percent), while the smallest percentage served in this setting was associated with Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander infants and toddlers (5.1 percent) (Exhibit 6).

• Of the Part C exiting categories in 2017–18, Part B eligible, exiting Part C accounted for the largest percentage of infants and toddlers. Specifically, this category accounted for 137,953 of 373,002, or 37 percent, of infants and toddlers. An additional 3.3 percent of the infants and toddlers were found to be eligible for Part B but continued to receive services under Part C. Withdrawal by parent (or guardian) was the second most prevalent exiting category, as it accounted for 13.7 percent of the infants and toddlers. Part B eligibility not determined and no longer eligible for Part C prior to reaching age 3 accounted for 13.6 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively (Exhibit 7).

• In 2017–18, 137,953, or 58.9 percent, of the 234,090 infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, who reached age 3 were determined to be Part B eligible, exiting Part C. An additional 5.2 percent of these infants and toddlers were found to be eligible for Part B but continued to receive services under Part C. Eligibility for Part B was not determined for 21.7 percent of the infants and toddlers served under IDEA, Part C, who had reached age 3. The remaining 14.2 percent of the infants and toddlers served under Part C who had reached age 3 exited Part C and were determined to be not eligible for Part B. The infants and toddlers who were not eligible for Part B included those who exited with referrals to other programs (8.2 percent) and those who exited with no referrals (6.0 percent) (Exhibit 8).

• During 2017–18, a total of 89 written, signed complaints were received through the dispute resolution process for infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C. A report was issued for 73 (82.0 percent) of the complaints, while 15 (16.9 percent) of the complaints were withdrawn or dismissed. One (1.1 percent) of the complaints received during the reporting period was pending or unresolved by the end of the period (Exhibit 9).

• A total of 60 due process complaints were received during 2017–18 through the dispute resolution process for infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C. For 50 (83.3 percent) of the due process complaints received during the reporting period, the complaint was withdrawn or dismissed. For nine (15.0 percent) of the due process complaints received, a hearing was conducted, and a written decision was issued. A hearing was still pending as of the end of the reporting period for one complaint (1.7 percent) (Exhibit 10).

• During 2017–18, a total of 115 mediation requests were received through the dispute resolution process for infants and toddlers birth through age 2 served under IDEA, Part C. A mediation was conducted before the end of the reporting period for 58 (50.4 percent) of the mediation requests received. The mediation that was held in two (1.7 percent) of these cases was related to a due process complaint, while the mediation held in 56 (48.7 percent) of these cases was not related to a due process complaint. The remaining 57 (49.6 percent) of the mediation requests received during the reporting period were withdrawn, dismissed, or otherwise ended without a mediation being held. No mediation requests were still pending at the end of the reporting period (Exhibit 11).

Children Ages 3 Through 5 Served Under IDEA, Part B

• In 2018, there were 815,010 children ages 3 through 5 served under Part B in the 49 States for which data were available, the District of Columbia, Bureau of Indian Education schools, Puerto Rico, the four outlying areas, and the three freely associated states. Of these children, 802,726 were served in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and Bureau of Indian Education schools. This number represented 6.8 percent of the resident population ages 3 through 5 (Exhibit 12).

• In 2018, the most prevalent disability category of children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, was speech or language impairment (specifically, 337,707 of 815,010 children, or 41.4 percent). The next most common disability category was developmental delay (37.7 percent), followed by autism (11.4 percent). The children ages 3 through 5 represented by the category “Other disabilities combined” accounted for the remaining 9.4 percent of children served under IDEA, Part B (Exhibit 13).

• In 2018, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White children ages 3 through 5 had risk ratios above 1 (i.e., 1.4, 1.2, and 1.1, respectively). This indicates that the children in each of these groups were more likely to be served under Part B than were children ages 3 through 5 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. Asian and Black or African American children ages 3 through 5, were associated with risk ratios less than 1 (i.e., 0.8 and 0.9, respectively), indicating that the children in each of these groups were less likely to be served under Part B than children ages 3 through 5 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. Hispanic/Latino children and children associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups ages 3 through 5 were associated with risk ratios of 1, indicating that they were as likely to be served under Part B as the children of all other racial/ethnic groups combined (Exhibit 14).

• In 2018, a total of 547,211, or 67.1 percent, of the 815,010 children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, were in a regular early childhood program for some amount of their time in school. Children attending a regular early childhood program at least 10 hours per week and receiving the majority of hours of special education and related services in the regular early childhood program accounted for 40.2 percent of all children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B. This represented more children than any other educational environment category. Separate class accounted for 22.4 percent of children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, making it the second most prevalent educational category. Collectively, separate school, residential facility, and home (which are represented by the term “Other environments”) accounted for 4.1 percent of the children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B. The educational environment category for the remaining students, representing 6.3 percent of the children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, was a service provider location or some other location not in any other category (Exhibit 15).

• In 2018, the majority of children ages 3 through 5 served under IDEA, Part B, in each racial/ethnic group spent a portion of time in a regular early childhood program. Children attending a regular early childhood program at least 10 hours per week and receiving the majority of hours of special education and related services in the regular early childhood program accounted for the largest percentage of children who attended a regular early childhood program for every racial/ethnic group. Moreover, for every racial/ethnic group, this educational environment category accounted for a larger percentage of the children than did any other category of educational environment. The percentages of students in racial/ethnic groups served under the educational environment category of children attending a regular early childhood program at least 10 hours per week and receiving the majority of hours of special education and related services in the regular early childhood program ranged from 34.1 percent to 47.8 percent. Separate class was the second most prevalent educational environment category for each racial/ethnic group, except for American Indian or Alaska Native children and White children. This category accounted for 33.8 percent of Asian children, 25.8 percent of Black or African American children, 25.3 percent of Hispanic/Latino children, 26.1 percent of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander children, and 23.7 percent of children associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups. Children attending a regular early childhood program at least 10 hours per week and receiving the majority of hours of special education and related services in some other location was the second most prevalent educational environment category for American Indian or Alaska Native children (23.1 percent) and White children (19.2 percent) (Exhibit 16).

• In 2017, a total of 35,966, or 94.3 percent, of the 38,126 full-time equivalent (FTE) special education teachers who were employed to provide special education and related services for children ages 3 through 5 under IDEA, Part B, were fully certified (Exhibit 17).

• In 2017, a total of 53,166, or 94.6 percent, of the 56,188 FTE special education paraprofessionals who were employed to provide special education and related services for children ages 3 through 5 under IDEA, Part B, were qualified (Exhibit 18).

Students Ages 6 Through 21 Served Under IDEA, Part B

• In 2018, a total of 6,315,228 students ages 6 through 21 were served under IDEA, Part B, in the 49 States for which data were available, the District of Columbia, Bureau of Indian Education schools, Puerto Rico, the four outlying areas, and the three freely associated states. Of these students, 6,217,412 were served in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and Bureau of Indian Education schools. This number represented 9.5 percent of the resident population ages 6 through 21 (Exhibit 19).

• The percentage of the resident population ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, in 2009 was 8.5 percent. The percentage decreased to 8.4 percent in 2010. The percentage remained at 8.4 percent until 2013, when it increased to 8.5 percent. The percentage continued to increase gradually to 9.5 percent in 2018. From 2009 to 2010, the percentage of the population ages 6 through 11 served under IDEA, Part B, decreased from 10.9 percent to 10.6 percent, where it remained in 2011. The percentage increased to 10.7 percent in 2012 and continued to increase each year thereafter, reaching a high of 12.3 percent in 2018. The percentage of the population ages 12 through 17 served under Part B was 10.9 percent in 2009. The percentage decreased to 10.8 percent in 2010 and remained there until it increased to 11 percent in 2014. The percentage continued to increase, reaching a high of 11.8 percent in 2018. The percentage of the population ages 18 through 21 served under Part B was 2 percent in each year from 2009 through 2018 (Exhibit 20).

• In 2018, the most prevalent disability category of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, was specific learning disability (specifically, 2,377,739, or 37.7 percent, of the 6,315,228 students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B). The next most common disability category was speech or language impairment (16.4 percent), followed by other health impairment (16.2 percent), autism (10.5 percent), intellectual disability (6.7 percent), and emotional disturbance (5.5 percent). Students ages 6 through 21 in “Other disabilities combined” accounted for the remaining 7 percent of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B (Exhibit 21).

• The percentage of the resident population ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that was reported under disability categories changed by two-tenths of a percentage point or less between 2009 and 2018 for all but two categories. The percentage of the population reported under autism increased by 0.5 of a percentage point. The percentage of the population reported under other health impairment also increased by 0.5 of a percentage point (Exhibit 22).

• Between 2009 and 2018, the percentage of the resident population ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that was reported under the category of autism increased gradually from 0.5 percent to 1 percent. Between 2009 and 2018, the percentages of the populations ages 6 through 11, 12 through 17, and 18 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that were reported under the category of autism all increased. Specifically, the percentages of these three age groups that were reported under the category of autism were 80.2 percent, 130.5 percent, and 140.7 percent larger in 2018 than in 2009, respectively (Exhibit 23).

• From 2009 through 2018, the percentage of the resident population ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that was reported under the category of other health impairment increased gradually from 1 percent to 1.5 percent. The percentages of the populations ages 6 through 11, 12 through 17, and 18 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that were reported under the category of other health impairment were 57.3 percent, 51.6 percent, and 45.3 percent larger in 2018 than in 2009, respectively (Exhibit 24).

• From 2009 through 2011, the percentage of the resident population ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that was reported under the category of specific learning disability decreased from 3.6 percent to 3.4 percent, where it remained until 2016, when the percentage increased to 3.5 percent. The percentage remained at 3.5 percent in 2017, then increased to 3.6 percent in 2018. The percentage of the population ages 6 through 11 served under IDEA, Part B, that was reported under the category of specific learning disability was 8.1 percent larger in 2018 than in 2009. However, the percentages of the populations ages 12 through 17 and 18 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, that were reported under this category were 3.9 percent and 17.7 percent smaller in 2018 than in 2009, respectively (Exhibit 25).

• In 2018, for all disabilities, American Indian or Alaska Native students, Black or African American students, Hispanic/Latino students, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students ages 6 through 21, with risk ratios of 1.6, 1.4, 1.1, and 1.5, respectively, were more likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. Asian students and White students ages 6 through 21, with risk ratios of 0.5 and 0.9, respectively, were less likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. With a risk ratio of 1, students associated with two or more races were as likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, as were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined (Exhibit 26).

• With a risk ratio of 4, American Indian or Alaska Native students ages 6 through 21 were four times as likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, for developmental delay than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. The risk ratio for American Indian or Alaska Native students ages 6 through 21 was equal to 1 for autism and orthopedic impairment and higher than 1 for each of the other disability categories. Asian students ages 6 through 21 were 1.1 times as likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, for the disability category of autism and 1.2 times as likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, for the disability category of hearing impairment than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. The risk ratio for Asian students ages 6 through 21 was equal to 1 for deaf-blindness and orthopedic impairment and less than 1 for each of the other disability categories. With a risk ratio higher than 1, Black or African American students ages 6 through 21 were more likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined for the following disability categories: autism (1.1), developmental delay (1.6), emotional disturbance (1.9), intellectual disability (2.2), multiple disabilities (1.3), other health impairment (1.4), specific learning disability (1.5), traumatic brain injury (1.1), and visual impairment (1.1). The risk ratio for Black or African American students ages 6 through 21 was less than 1 for deaf-blindness (0.8) and orthopedic impairment (0.9) and equal to 1 for hearing impairment and speech or language impairment. With a risk ratio higher than 1, Hispanic/Latino students ages 6 through 21 were more likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined for the following disability categories: hearing impairment (1.4), orthopedic impairment (1.2), specific learning disability (1.4), and speech or language impairment (1.1). The risk ratio for Hispanic/Latino students ages 6 through 21 was equal to 1 for intellectual disability and less than 1 for all other disability categories. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students ages 6 through 21 were at least two times as likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, for developmental delay (2.1), hearing impairment (2.5), and multiple disabilities (2.1) than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined. The risk ratio for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students ages 6 through 21 was higher than 1 for every other disability category as well, compared to all other racial/ethnic groups combined. With a risk ratio higher than 1, White students ages 6 through 21 were more likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined for the following disability categories: deaf-blindness (1.1), multiple disabilities (1.1), other health impairment (1.2), and traumatic brain injury (1.2). The risk ratio for White students ages 6 through 21 was equal to 1 for autism, emotional disturbance, speech or language impairment, and visual impairment and less than 1 for all other disability categories. With a risk ratio higher than 1, students ages 6 through 21 associated with two or more races were more likely to be served under IDEA, Part B, than were students ages 6 through 21 in all other racial/ethnic groups combined for the following disability categories: autism (1.1), developmental delay (1.4), emotional disturbance (1.4), other health impairment (1.2), and speech or language impairment (1.1). The risk ratio for students ages 6 through 21 associated with two or more races was equal to 1 for traumatic brain injury and less than 1 for all other disability categories (Exhibit 27).

• For the students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, in 2018, specific learning disability was more prevalent than any other disability category for almost every racial/ethnic group. In particular, this disability category accounted for 43.8 percent of American Indian or Alaska Native students, 23 percent of Asian students, 39.3 percent of Black or African American students, 45.1 percent of Hispanic/Latino students, 49.1 percent of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students, 33.5 percent of White students, and 33.5 percent of students associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups. Autism was the most prevalent disability category for Asian students (24.8 percent). Other health impairment was the second most prevalent disability category for the following racial/ethnic groups: Black or African American students (16.2 percent), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students (11.3 percent), White students (18.7 percent), and students associated with two or more racial/ethnic groups (18.1 percent). Speech or language impairment was the second most prevalent disability category for American Indian or Alaska Native students (14.1 percent), Asian students (23.4 percent), and Hispanic/Latino students (16.9 percent) (Exhibit 28).

• In 2018, a total of 6,001,138, or 95 percent, of the 6,315,228 students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, were educated in regular classrooms for at least some portion of the school day. The majority (64.0 percent) of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, were educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day. Also, 17.9 percent of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, were educated inside the regular class 40% through 79% of the day, and 13.1 percent were educated inside the regular class less than 40% of the day. Additionally, 5 percent of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, were educated outside of the regular classroom in “Other environments” (Exhibit 29).

• From 2009 through 2018, the percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day increased from 59.4 percent to 64 percent. The percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were educated inside the regular class 40% through 79% of the day decreased from 20.7 percent in 2009 to 18.6 percent in 2014. The percentage increased to 18.7 percent in 2015 and then decreased to 17.9 percent in 2018. The percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were educated inside the regular class less than 40% of the day decreased from 14.6 percent in 2009 to 13.1 percent in 2018. The percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were educated in “Other environments” fluctuated between 5.1 and 5.3 percent from 2009 through 2012. The percentage dipped to 5 percent in 2013 and then climbed to 5.3 percent in 2014. The percentage dropped to 5.2 percent in 2015, 5.1 percent in 2016 and 2017, and 5 percent in 2018 (Exhibit 30).

• In 2018, the percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, in each educational environment varied by disability category. More than 8 in 10 students reported under the category of speech or language impairment (87.5 percent) were educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day. Less than 2 in 10 students, or 17.4 percent, reported under the category of intellectual disability and 14.3 percent of students reported under the category of multiple disabilities were educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day. Almost one-half (48.6 percent) of students reported under the category of intellectual disability and 44.8 percent of students reported under the category of multiple disabilities were educated inside the regular class less than 40% of the day. In 2018, larger percentages of students reported under the categories of deaf-blindness (25.9 percent) and multiple disabilities (23.3 percent), compared to students reported under other disability categories, were educated in “Other environments” (Exhibit 31).

• In 2018, for each racial/ethnic group, the largest percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, was educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day. The students who were educated inside the regular class 80% or more of the day accounted for at least 50 percent of the students in each of the racial/ethnic groups, ranging from 57.4 percent to 67 percent. The students who were educated inside the regular class 40% through 79% of the day accounted for between 16.1 and 24.9 percent of the students within each racial/ethnic group. Less than 20 percent of the students within each racial/ethnic group, except for Asian students (21.0 percent), were educated inside the regular class less than 40% of the day. “Other environments” accounted for less than 6 percent of the students within each racial/ethnic group (Exhibit 32).

• In school year 2017–18, between 93.4 and 95.7 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school, who did not have a medical exemption, participated in a math assessment. Between 4.3 and 6.6 percent did not participate (Exhibit 33).

• In school year 2017–18, between 92.9 and 95.6 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school, who did not have a medical exemption, participated in a reading assessment. Between 4.4 and 7.1 percent did not participate (Exhibit 34).

• In school year 2017–18, between 43.5 and 54 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards with accommodations in math. Between 32.1 and 43.6 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards without accommodations in math. All students in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school who participated in an alternate assessment in math in school year 2017–18 took an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards. Between 8.5 and 9.6 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards in math (Exhibit 35).

• In school year 2017–18, between 41.4 and 51.3 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards with accommodations in reading. Between 34.5 and 45.6 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards without accommodations in reading. All students in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school who participated in an alternate assessment in reading in school year 2017–18 took an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards. Between 8.6 and 9.6 percent of students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school participated in an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards in reading (Exhibit 36).

• For school year 2017–18, of the 60 jurisdictions (i.e., the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bureau of Indian Education schools, the four outlying areas, and the three freely associated states), non-suppressed data were available for between 40 and 48 jurisdictions that administered a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards in math to some students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school. The median percentages of these students who were found to be proficient with these math tests ranged from 7 percent to 23.5 percent. Non-suppressed data were available for between 48 and 50 jurisdictions that administered an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for math to some students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school. The median percentages of these students who were found to be proficient with these math tests ranged from 36.4 percent to 42.8 percent (Exhibit 37).

• For school year 2017–18, of the 60 jurisdictions (i.e., the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bureau of Indian Education schools, the four outlying areas, and the three freely associated states), non-suppressed data were available for between 43 and 48 jurisdictions that administered a regular assessment based on grade-level academic achievement standards in reading to some students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school. The median percentages of these students who were found to be proficient with these reading tests ranged from 10.9 percent to 18.9 percent. Non-suppressed data were available for between 46 and 49 jurisdictions that administered an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for reading to some students served under IDEA, Part B, in each of grades 3 through 8 and high school. The median percentages of these students who were found to be proficient with these reading tests ranged from 42.5 percent to 47.2 percent (Exhibit 38).

• Of the eight exiting categories, graduated with a regular high school diploma accounted for the largest percentage of students ages 14 through 21 who exited special education in 2017–18 (specifically, 300,447, or 47.5 percent, of the 632,746 such students). This was followed by moved, known to be continuing in education (25.2 percent) and dropped out (10.4 percent) (Exhibit 39).

• In 2017–18, a total of 72.7 percent of the students ages 14 through 21 who exited IDEA, Part B, and school graduated with a regular high school diploma, while 16 percent dropped out. The percentage of students who exited special education and school by having graduated with a regular high school diploma increased from 60.6 percent in 2008–09 to 72.7 percent in 2017–18. From 2008–09 through 2017–18, the percentage of students who exited special education and school by having dropped out generally decreased from 22.4 percent to 16 percent (Exhibit 40).

• In comparison to school year 2008–09, the graduation percentage in 2017–18 increased for students who exited IDEA, Part B, and school in all disability categories except multiple disabilities. The graduation percentage increased by 4.3 percentage points for students in the deaf-blindness category and by at least 5 percentage points for students in the remaining disability categories. From 2008–09 through 2014–15, the disability category with the largest graduation percentage was visual impairment. From 2015–16 through 2017–18, the disability category of speech or language impairment was associated with the largest graduation percentage. The students reported under the category of intellectual disability had the smallest graduation percentages from 2008–09 through 2016–17. The students reported under the category of multiple disabilities had the smallest graduation percentage in 2017‒18 (46.6 percent) (Exhibit 41).

• The dropout percentage was lower in school year 2017–18 than in 2008–09 for students who exited IDEA, Part B, and school in all disability categories except autism. The dropout percentage decreases were less than 10 percentage points in each disability category. In each year from 2008–09 through 2017–18, a larger percentage of the students reported under the category of emotional disturbance exited special education and school by dropping out than for any other reason. In each year, the dropout percentage was no less than 30 percent, which was larger than the dropout percentage for any other disability category (Exhibit 42).

• In 2017, a total of 362,027, or 93 percent, of the 389,456 full-time equivalent (FTE) special education teachers who provided special education and related services for students ages 6 through 21 under IDEA, Part B, were fully certified (Exhibit 43).

• In 2017, a total of 430,375, or 93.8 percent, of the 458,676 FTE special education paraprofessionals who provided special education and related services for students ages 6 through 21 under IDEA, Part B, were qualified (Exhibit 44).

Children and Students Ages 3 Through 21 Served Under IDEA, Part B

• In 2017, a total of 97.5 percent of all full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel who were employed to provide related services for children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, were fully certified. In 10 of the 11 related services personnel categories, 95 percent or more of FTE related services personnel were fully certified. Interpreters was the exception at 90.2 percent (Exhibit 45).

• During the 2017–18 school year, 7,689 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B,in the jurisdictions for which data were available experienced a unilateral removal to an interim alternative educational setting by school personnel (not the IEP [individualized education program] team) for drugs, weapons, or serious bodily injury. Given that 6,444,338 children and students ages 3 through 21 were served under Part B in 2017, in the States for which data were available, this type of action occurred with 12 children and students for every 10,000 children and students who were served under Part B in 2017. A total of 359 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA,Part B,or less than 1 for every 10,000 children and students served in the jurisdictions for which data were available, experienced a removal to an interim alternative educational setting based on a hearing officer determination regarding likely injury in school year 2017–18. There were 51,236 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B,or 76 for every 10,000 children and students served in the jurisdictions for which data were available, who received out-of-school suspensions or expulsions for more than 10 cumulative days in school year 2017–18. There were 22,214 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B,or 33 for every 10,000 children and students served in the jurisdictions for which data were available, who received in-school suspensions for more than 10 cumulative days in school year 2017–18 (Exhibit 46).

• For every 10,000 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were reported under the category of emotional disturbance in 2017, there were 45 children and students removed unilaterally to an interim alternative educational settingby school personnel for offenses involvingdrugs, weapons, or seriousbodily injury during school year 2017–18. The ratio for the children and students reported under each of the other disability categories was 19 or less per 10,000 children and students served. Without regard for disability category, for every 10,000 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, in 2017, no more than three children and students were removed by a hearing officer for likely injury during school year 2017–18. For every 10,000 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were reported under the category of emotional disturbance in 2017, there were 375 children and students who received out-of-school suspensions or expulsions for more than 10 cumulative days during school year 2017–18. The ratio for the children and students reported under each of the other disability categories was 145 or less per 10,000 children and students served. For every 10,000 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, who were reported under the category of emotional disturbance in 2017, there were 112 children and students who received in-school suspensions for more than 10 cumulative days during school year 2017–18. The ratio for the children and students reported under each of the other disability categories was 66 or less per 10,000 children and students served (Exhibit 47).

• During 2017–18, a total of 5,228 written, signed complaints were received through the dispute resolution process for children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B. A report was issued for 3,401 (65.1 percent) of the complaints, while 1,677 (32.1 percent) of the complaints were withdrawn or dismissed. A total of 150 (2.9 percent) of the complaints that were received during the 2017–18 reporting period were pending or unresolved by the end of the period (Exhibit 48).

• A total of 19,337 due process complaints were received during 2017–18 through the dispute resolution process for children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B. For 11,512 (59.5 percent) of the due process complaints received during the 2017–18 reporting period, a resolution was achieved without a hearing. For 1,922 (9.9 percent) of the due process complaints received, a hearing was conducted and a written decision was issued. For 5,903 (30.5 percent) of the due process complaints received, a resolution was still pending at the end of the reporting period (Exhibit 49).

• During 2017–18, a total of 11,613 mediation requests were received through the dispute resolution process for children and students ages 3 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B. For 3,861 (33.2 percent) of the mediation requests received, a mediation related to a due process complaint was conducted. For 2,844 (24.5 percent) of the mediation requests received, a mediation that was not related to a due process complaint was conducted. For 965 requests (8.3 percent), a mediation session was still pending as of the end of the 2017–18 reporting period. The remaining 3,943 mediation requests (34.0 percent) were withdrawn or otherwise not held by the end of the reporting period (Exhibit 50).

• A total of 84,312, or 1.2 percent, of the 7,130,238 children and students ages 3 through 21 served under Part B in 2018 by 49 States, the District of Columbia, Bureau of Indian Education schools, Puerto Rico, the four outlying areas, and the three freely associated states received coordinated early intervening services (CEIS) in school year(s) 2015–16, 2016–17, or 2017–18 prior to being served under Part B (Exhibit 51).