The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is required by the reauthorized
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to make determinations for
disproportionality and provide for a review of the policies, procedures and
practices to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act. The State
provides this review of policies, procedures and practices by administering a
Self Assessment Monitoring Protocol to targeted districts. Disproportionality is
a comprehensive construct that requires determinations for several different
categories: 1) Significant Disproportionality, 2) Disproportionate
Representation, and 3) Significant Discrepancy.
Although stakeholders shared feedback with the GaDOE about supervision of
this requirement, there was not a formal process by which stakeholders could
suggest recommendations and/or pose concerns. During 2010 - 2011, the GaDOE
convened a group of stakeholders to serve in an advisory capacity to formally
discuss the State’s supervision of disproportionality, which would ultimately
help Georgia to eliminate disproportionality and ensure compliance of federal
regulations.
Four stakeholder committee meetings were held during the year: (1) September
14 – 15, 2010; (2) November 16, 2010; (3) January 19, 2011; and (4) March 15,
2011. The GaDOE clearly outlined specific goals, objectives and possible next
steps for each session, which included the following:
- Reviewed the State’s criteria for the determination of disproportionality;
- Discussed root causes for disproportionality;
- Reviewed and revised Georgia’s Self Assessment Monitoring Protocol; and
- Identified the most appropriate professional learning and technical
assistance needed for local districts to decrease disproportionate data and
address noncompliance.
Committee members received professional learning during stakeholder meetings
to acquire the appropriate background and content necessary to serve in an
advisory role to the GaDOE. Ultimately, the stakeholders advised the State of
necessary revisions to state-level policies, procedures, and practices for
supervision of this requirement. The invited stakeholders represented various
organizations and entities throughout the state such as GaDOE personnel,
district personnel, school personnel, parent, parent advocate, community service
provider, and university/college personnel.
Disproportionality Stakeholder
Meeting Information