2019 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters PART B — Northern Mariana Islands
OSEP Response to SPP/APR
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OSEP Response to SPP/APR
400 MARYLAND AVE. S.W., WASHINGTON DC 20202 -2600
www.ed.gov
The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by
fostering educational excellence and ensuring equ al access.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
June 2 0, 201 9
Honorable Glenn Muna
Commissioner of Education
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System
P.O. Box 501370 CK
Saipan , MP 96950
Dear Commissioner Muna :
I am writing to advise you of the U. S. Department of Education ’s (Department) 2019
determination under section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The
Department has determined that Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands needs
intervention in implementing the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. This determination is
based on the totality of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’s data and information,
including the Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2017 State Performance P lan/Annual Performance
Report (SPP/APR), other State -reported data, and other publicly available information.
Protecting the rights of children with disabilities and their families is a key responsibility of
States, but it is not sufficient if children are not attaining the knowledge and skills necessary to
achieve the goals of IDEA as reflected in Congressional findings in section 601(c)(1) of the
IDEA: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self -
sufficiency. To addre ss this concern, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has been
using results data when making annual determinations for States under IDEA section 616(d)
since 2014. OSEP is continuing to use both results and compliance data in making
determinati ons for outlying areas, freely associated States, and the Bureau of Indian Education
(the Entities) in 2019, as it did for determinations in 2018.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’s 2019 determination is based on the data
reflected in Commonwe alth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’s “2019 Part B Results -Driven
Accountability Matrix ” (RDA Matrix). The RDA Matrix is individualized for each State and
consists of:
(1) a Compliance Matrix that includes scoring on Compliance Indicators and other
complianc e factors;
(2) a Results Matrix that includes scoring on Results Elements;
(3) a Compliance Score and a Results Score;
(4) an RDA Percentage based on both the Compliance Score and the Results Score; and
(5) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’s Determination.
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The RDA Matrix is further explained in a document, entitled “How the Department Made
Determinations under Section 616(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2019:
Freely Associated States, Outlying Areas, and the Bureau of Indian Educatio n-Part B ”
(HTDMD).
The specifics of the determination procedures and criteria are set forth in the HTDMD and
reflected in the RDA Matrix for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands . In making Part
B determinations in 2019, OSEP continued to use result s data related to:
(1) the participation of children with disabilities (CWD) on regular Statewide assessments;
(2) the percentage of CWD who graduated with a regular high school diploma; and
(3) the percentage of CWD who dropped out.
The Secretary is considering m odifying the factors the Department will use in making its
determinations in June 2020 as part of its continuing emphasis on results for children with
disabilities. 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 with
disabilities, and ensuring that States meet the IDEA program requirements, with an emphasis on
those requirements that are most closely related to improving educational results fo r children
with disabilities.
The proposed Part B determinations process will include the same compliance factors as in past
years, with one addition. For the 2020 determinations, rather than weighting each compliance
factor equally, OSEP is considering assigning greater weight to thos e compliance factors most
directly related to improving results for children with disabilities. For the 2020 determinations
process we are also considering, as two additional results factors, State -reported data on:
preschool child outcomes and the State S ystemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). Using preschool
outcomes for Part B determinations is consistent with the use of the early childhood outcomes
factor that has been used for Part C determinations since 2015. Use of this factor emphasizes the
importance of p reschool outcomes in promoting later school success for students with
disabilities. The inclusion of the SSIP as a results factor in making determinations would
continue OSEP ’s emphasis on incorporating a results -driven approach as States identify
evidence -based practices that lead to improved outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.
In addition, we are considering several changes to the results factors related to the participation
and performance of children with disabilities on assessments, in cluding: (1) using Statewide
assessment results, rather than the National Assessment of Educational Progress performance
data; (2) looking at year -to-year improvements in Statewide assessment results and taking into
account the full Statewide assessment sy stem, including alternate assessments; and (3) no longer
comparing each State ’s assessment performance with that of other States. Finally, OSEP will be
revisiting ways of measuring improvement in the graduation rate of students with disabilities. As
we con sider changes to how we use the data under these factors in making the Department ’s
2020 determinations, OSEP will provide parents, States, entities, LEAs, and other stakeholders
with an opportunity to comment and provide input through OSEP ’s Leadership Co nference in
July 2019 and other meetings.
You may access the results of OSEP ’s review of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands ’s SPP/APR and other relevant data by accessing the SPP/APR module using your Entity -
specific log -on information at https://osep.grads360.org . When you access your Entity ’s
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SPP/APR on the site, you will find, in applicable Indicators 1 through 16, the OSEP Response to
the indicator and any actions that th e 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 Entity 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 Response ” and/or “Required Actions ” sections.
You will also find all of the following important documents saved as attachments to the Progress
Page:
(1) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’s RDA Matrix;
(2) the HTDMD document;
(3) a spreadsheet entitled “2019 Data Rubric Part B, ” which shows how OSEP calculated
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands “Timely and Accurate State -Reported
Data ” score in the Compliance Matrix; and
(4) a document entitled “Dispute Resolution 2017 -18,” which includes the IDEA section 618
data that OSEP used to calculate Commonwealth of the North ern Mariana Islands ’s
“Timely State Complaint Decisions ” and “Timely Due Process Hearing Decisions ” scores
in the Compliance Matrix.
As noted above, the Department has determined that Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands needs intervention in imple menting the requirements of Part B of IDEA. The Department
identifies a State or Entity as needing intervention under IDEA Part B if its RDA Percentage is
less than 60%. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’ RDA Percentage is 53% .
Pursuant to section 616(d)(2)(B) of the IDEA and 34 C .F.R. § 300.603(b)(2), an Entity that is
determined to be “need intervention ” or “need substantial intervention ” and does not agree with
this determination, may request an opportunity to meet with the As sistant Secretary to
demonstrate why the Department should change the Entity ’s determination. To request a hearing,
submit a letter to Johnny W. Collett, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services, U.S. Department of Education, 4 00 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202
within 15 days of the date of this letter. The letter must include the basis for your request for a
change in your Entity ’s determination.
States and Entities were required to submit Phase III Year Three of the SSIP by April 1, 2019.
OSEP appreciates Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ’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 t he upcoming weeks. Additionally, OSEP will continue
to work with Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as it implements the fourth year of
Phase III of the SSIP, which is due on April 1, 2020.
As a reminder, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Isl ands must make its SPP/APR
available to the public by posting it on your agency ’s website. Within the next several days,
OSEP will be finalizing an Entity Profile that:
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(1) will be accessible to the public;
(2) includes the Entity ’s determination letter and SPP/ APR, and all related State 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.
OSEP appreciates Commonwealth o f the Northern Mariana Islands ’s efforts to improve results
for children and youth with disabilities and looks forward to working with Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands 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 if you
have any questions, would like to discuss this further, or want to request technical assistance.
Sincerely,
Laurie VanderPloeg
Director
Office of Special Education Programs
cc: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Director of Special Education
(Grant Year 2017–2018 — Issued June 20, 2019)
Some historical APRs can be found on the GRADS360 website Public Domain Clearinghouse for APRs. To find available APRs, filter by the state you want to find and then filter by the year. If you cannot find the APR you are looking for, contact the Partner Support Center at EDEN-Submission-System@ed.gov.
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