National Data & Reports Relevant to Transition from Part C

Data

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C data on Exiting (2005-2006) - These data are collected annually by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in accordance with Section 618 of IDEA. The Exiting table lists the number of children in all states and territories according to five categories: Complete Prior to Maximum Age, Part B Eligible, Exit to Other Programs, Exit with No Referrals and Eligibility Not Determined.

Reports

The Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study (PEELS) funded by the National Center for Special Education Research at the Institute of Education Sciences is a multi year study examining preschool special education and includes transition. Chapter Five of the Wave 1 Overview Report entitled Preschoolers with Disabilities: Characteristics, Services and Results (August 2006) (PDF: 8,031kb) provides findings for transition to preschool from Part C services.

United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Education Should Provide Additional Guidance to Help States Smoothly Transition Children to Preschool (December 2005) (PDF: 4,481kb) . The report addresses how states have implemented Part C of IDEA including eligibility criteria, provision of services, funding and how federal and state entities help support and oversee efforts to implement Part C. The report recommends that the federal Department of Education provide states with additional guidance on transition planning and services, especially for children who would enter Part B in the summer.