State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Reports
Vermont (VT) Early Intervention - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 Part C services (Family, Infant and Toddler Program/Children’s Integrated Services) must assure the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) that we use the funds we receive for the Part C program wisely. VT Part C also must assure OSEP, Congress and the public that it meets the requirements of the IDEA 2004 and current regulations so that the program makes a positive difference in the lives of the children and families for whom it provides services. The following are two primary ways by which the VT Part C program reports to OSEP that it produces positive results for families and their children, and measures the effect of program improvement strategies:
- State Performance Plan (SPP): VT Part C submitted to OSEP in December 2005 a State Performance Plan (SPP), a six-year plan (2005 through 2010) that specifies how VT Part C will make continuous program improvements and show positive results for families and their infants and toddlers with special needs. In its SPP, Vermont Part C provides baseline data on 14 areas (called "Indicators") that OSEP developed for all Part C programs nationwide. VT Part C collected this baseline data from its 12 regional early intervention programs (EIPs) during the time period July 2004 through June 2005. In the SPP, these baseline data from all regional EIPs are combined (aggregated) and reported on a statewide basis, not by individual EIP. The SPP then sets performance targets for each of the indicators from July 2005 through June 2010. Based on feedback form OSEP, the SPP was revised in February 2007, April 2008, and February 2009.
VT Part C SPP - Revised April 2009
- Annual Performance Report (APR): Each year (beginning with the time period July 2005 through June 2006), VT Part C must submit an Annual Performance Report (APR). The APR demonstrates VT Part C's progress in meeting its annual targets outlined in the State Performance Plan. Like the SPP, the APR shows data for the specific time period on a statewide basis for each indicator.
VT Part C APR 2005 (reporting period July 2005 through June 2006)
VT Part C APR 2006 (reporting period July 2006 through June 2007)
VT Part C APR 2007 (reporting period July 2007 through June 2008)
OSEP each year reviews Vermont's Annual Performance Report to determine whether we meet IDEA compliance and performance requirements. They make a judgment whether Vermont meets requirements, needs assistance in meeting the requirements, needs intervention or needs substantial intervention. States are then required to notify the public about their Determination status and what actions are required as a result. In the 2005-2006 reporting period for the 2005 APR, Vermont Part C received a determination of "Needs Assistance;" in the 2006-2007 reporting year for the 2006 APR, Vermont Part C received a determination of "Needs Assistance-2" (second year); and for the 2007-2008 reporting period for the 2007 APR, Vermont received a determination of "Needs Assistance-3" (third year). As a result of being in the category of "needs assistance," Vermont Part C must, each year: 1) take advantage of technical assistance sources that are available through a national network, and 2) report in the relevant APR the actions that Vermont Part C took/is taking as a result of using various technical assistance sources. Vermont Part C continues to work very hard with its regional Early Intervention Programs to improve our compliance and performance, and the 2007 APR submitted in February 2009 reflects significant progress. If people have questions, please email Terri Edgerton at terri.edgerton@uvm.edu.
Vermont 2007 APR Letter Determination Status (reporting period July 2007 to June 2008) - Received June 2009
- Public Reporting
Section 616 of the IDEA 2004 requires that VT Part C report data annually to the public that show each regional early intervention program’s progress in meeting the annual targets in the State Performance Plan. During the 2005, 2006, and 2007 APR reporting years, 12 regional early intervention programs (EIPs, i.e., “host agencies”) provided Part C early intervention services and supports throughout Vermont. This Public Reporting contains data from each regional EIP in seven of the 14 areas/indicators contained in the State Performance Plan.
While OSEP and the Part C state staff/administrative agency use these data to determine the degree of compliance and performance of the VT Part C program and each regional early intervention program, it is critical to be cautious in using these data to make general assumptions. These data are part of a larger “story” and should not be interpreted in isolation. These data can, however: 1) promote discussions about program improvements and the meaning and use of the data within the context of program services, 2) provide key information to develop action plans that lead to program improvement, and 3) highlight statewide and individual program strengths and areas for improvement.
Related Links
The Vermont Department of Education is required by IDEA 2004 to report similar information as above about children ages 3 - 22 years old, who receive special education services in Vermont.
