2017 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters PART B – Virgin Islands
OSEP Response to SPP/APR
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OSEP Response to SPP/APR
400 MARYLAND AVE. S.W., WASHINGTON DC 20202-2600
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The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by
fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
U
NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
O
FFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
J une 28, 2017
Honorable Sharon Ann McCollum
Commissioner of Education
Virgin Islands Department of Education
1834 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
Dear Commissioner McCollum:
I am writing to advise you of the U. S. Department of Education's (Department) 2017
determination under section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ). The
Department has determined that the Virgin Islands needs assistance in implementing the
requirements of Part B of the IDEA . This determination is based on the totality of the State’s data
and information, including the Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2015 State Performance Plan/Annual
Performance Report (SP P/APR), other State-reported data, and other publicly available
information.
The Virgin Islands’ 2017 determination is based on the data reflected in the Virgin Islands’ “Part
B Compliance Matrix – 2017” (Compliance Matrix). The Compliance Matrix is further
explained in a document, entitled “ How the Department Made Determinations under Section
616(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B in 2017 -- Entities with
Determinations Based on Compliance” (HTDMD Compliance Only).
Although OSE P is continuing to use both results data and compliance data in making
determinations in 2017 for other States, the Department is continuing to use only compliance
data when making 2017 determinations for the following entities: American Samoa, the Bureau
of Indian Education, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States
of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Virgin
Islands . Therefore, the Department is using the criteria set forth in the HTDMD Compliance
Only, which are similar to the criteria the Department used to make determinations for these
entities in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. In making Part B determinations in 2017 for other States,
OSEP used results data related to the part icipation of children with disabilities (CWD) on regular
Statewide assessments, the participation and performance of CWD on the National Assessmen t
of Educational Progress , and exiting data on CWD who dropped out and CWD who graduated
with a regular high s chool diploma, as reported by States under section 618 of the IDEA. T he
entities have results data available for some, but not all , of these Results Elements.
T he Department is considering using both compliance and results data for the entities’ 2018
determinations. Section 616(a)(2) of the IDEA requires that the primary focus of IDEA
monitoring must be on improving educational results and functional outcomes for all children
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with disabilities, and ensuring that States meet the IDEA program requirements , with a particular
emphasis on those requirements that are most closely related to improving educational results for
children with disabilities . We believe that taking this more balanced approach, using both
compliance and available results data, is consiste nt with this statutory provision and will allow
entities to better focus on improving results for children with disabilities who they serve. As we
consider using results data in determinations, OSEP will provide the entities with an opportunity
to comment and provide input on how we should use results data when making determinations in
2018 under IDEA section 616.
You may access the results of OSEP’s review of the Virgin Islands’ SPP/APR and other relevant
data by accessing the SPP/APR module using your e ntity-specific log -on information at
osep.grads360.org. When you access the Virgin Islands’ SPP/APR on the site, you will find, in
Indicators 1 through 16, the OSEP Response to the indicator and any actions that the entity is
required to take. The actions that the entity is required to take are in two places:
(1) actions related to the correction of findings of noncompliance are in the “OSEP
Response” section of the indicator; and
(2) any other actions that the Virgin Islands is required to take are in the “Required Actions”
section of the indicator.
It is important for you to review the Introduction to the SPP/APR, which may also include
language in the “OSEP R esponse” and/or “ Required Actions ” sections.
You will also find all of the following important documen ts saved as attachments to the Progress
Page:
(1) the Virgin Islands’ Compliance Matrix;
(2) the HTDMD Compliance Only document;
(3) a spreadsheet entitled “201 7 Data Rubric Part B,” which shows how OSEP calculated the
Virgin Islands’ “Timely and Accurate State -Rep orted Data” score in the Compliance
Matrix;
(4) a document entitled “Dispute Resolution 2015- 16,” which includes the IDEA section 618
data that OSEP used to calculate the entity’s “Timely State Complaint Decisions” and
“Timely Due Process Hearing Decisions” s cores in the Compliance Matrix; and
(5) a Data Display, which presents certain entity -reported data in a transparent, user -friendly
manner and is helpful for the public in getting a broader picture of the Virgin Islands’
performance in key areas.
As noted above, the Virgin Islands’ determination is Needs Assistance. The 2017 determination
for an entity whose determination is based on the Compliance Matrix is Needs Assistance if the
Compliance Matric percentage was at least 75%, but less than 90%, or was below 75% but the
entity does not meet the criteria for Needs Intervention as set forth in the HTDMD Compliance
Only document. An entity would also be Needs Assistance if its Compliance Matrix percentage
was at least 90%, but the Department has imposed Specia l Conditions on the entity’s last three
(FFYs 2014, 2015, and 2016) IDEA Part B grant awards, and those Special Conditions are in
effect at the time of the Department’s 2017 determination.
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Virgin Islands’ determination for 2016 was also Needs A ssistance. In accordance with section
616(e)(1) of the IDEA and 34 C.F.R. §300.604(a), if a State or entity is determined to need
assistance for two consecutive years, the Secretary must take one or more of the following
actions:
(1) advise the State or entity of available sources of technical assistance that may help the
State or entity address the areas in which the State or entity needs assistance and require
the State or entity to work with appropriate entities;
(2) direct the use of State -level funds on the area or areas in which the State or entity needs
assistance; or
(3) identify the State or entity as a high -risk grantee and impose Special Conditions on the
State’s or entity’ s IDEA Part B grant award.
Pursuant to these requirements, the Secretary is continuing to re quire the Virgin Islands to access
technical assistance related to its FFY 2017 Department -wide special conditions and status as a
high -risk grantee through the Department’s Risk Management Service. The Virgin Islands must
timely submit any reports require d under these Department-wide Special Conditions.
States were required to submit Phase I II of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) by April
1, 2017. OSEP appreciates the Virgin Island s’ ongoing work on its SSIP and its efforts to
improve results for students with disabilities. We have carefully reviewed your submission and
will provide feedback in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, OSEP will continue to work with
your entity as it implements the second year of Phase III of the SSIP , which is due on April 3,
2018.
As a reminder, the Virgin Islands must report annually to the public, by posting on the Virgin
Islands’ Department of Education’s website, the performance of each local educational agency
located in the State on targets in the SPP/APR as soon as practicable, but no later than 120 days
after the State’s submission of its FFY 2015 SPP/APR. In addition, the Virgin Islands must:
(1) review each LEA performance against targets in the Virgin Islands’ SPP/APR;
(2) determine if each LEA “meets the requirements” of the Part B, or “needs assistance,”
“needs intervention,” or “needs substantial intervention” in implementing Part B of the
IDEA ;
(3) take appropriate enforcement action; and
(4) inform each LEA of its determination.
Further, the Virgin Islands must make its SPP/APR available to the public by posting it on the
State educational agency’s web site. Within the next several days, OSEP will be finalizing a State
Profile for your entity that:
(1) will be accessible to the public;
(2) includes the entity’s determination letter and SPP/APR, and all related entity and OSEP
attachments; and
(3) can be accessed via a URL unique to your entity, which you can use to make your
SPP/APR available to the public.
We will provide you with the unique URL when it is live.
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OSEP appreciates the Virgin Islands’ efforts to improve results for children and youth with
disabilities and looks forward to working with your entity over the next year as we continue our
important work of improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Please
contact your OSEP State Lead i f you have any questions, would like to discuss this further, or
want to request technical assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/ Ruth E. Ryder
Ruth E. Ryder
Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
cc: Director of Special Educat ion
(Grant Year 2015-2016—Issued June 28, 2017) Contact the Partner Support Center at EDEN-Submission-System@ed.gov or 877-HLP-EDEN (877-457-3336) for state profile.
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Last modified on July 6, 2017