2021 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters PART B – Federated States of Micronesia
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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 equal access. U
NITE D STATE S D EPARTMENT OF EDUC ATION
O FFICE OF SPECIAL EDUC ATIO N AND REHABILIT ATIVE SERVICES
June 24, 2021
Honora ble Wayne Mandiola
Acting Secretary of Education
Federated States of Micronesia
P.O. Box PS 87
Palikir, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941
Dear Acting Secretary Mandiola:
I am writing to advise you of the U. S. Department of Education’s (Department) 2021
determination under section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Educati on Act (IDEA). The
Department has determined that Federated State s of Micronesia needs assistance in
implementing the requirements of Part B of the IDEA . This determination is based on the totality
of the Federated States of Micronesia’s da ta and information, including the Federal fiscal year
(FFY) 2019 State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR), other Entity-
reported data, and other publicly available information.
With the FFY 2019 SPP/APR submission, the Office of Special Education Programs ( OSEP)
requested that States and Entities report whether and how the data collection for any indicator
was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, OSEP requested that States and Entities
include in the narrative for each impacted indicator: (1) the impact on data completeness,
validity, and/or reliability for the indicator; (2) an explanation of how COVID-19 specifically
impacted the State’s or Entity’s ability to collect and verify the data for the indicator; and (3) any
steps the State or Entity took to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the data collection and
verification. OSEP appreciates States’ and Entities’ level of transparency regarding the impact of
COVID-19 on the data reported in the FFY 2019
SPP/APR. When making determination decisions for 2021, OSEP considered all information
submitted that related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021 determinations, no
State or Entity received a determination of “Needs Intervention” due solely to data impacted by
COVID-19.
OSEP is continuing to use both results and compliance data in making determinations for
outlying areas, freely associated States, and the Bureau of Indian Education (the Entities) in
2021, as it did for determinations in 2020. 1
The 1
OSEP has used results data on the participation and performance of children with disabilities on the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in making determinations for States (but not Entities) since 2014.
Although t he BIE is the only E ntity that a dminister s the NAEP , OSEP has not used NAEP data in making the BIE’s
determinations because the BIE’s NAEP data were previously not available. However, given that the BIE’s NAEP data
are now available, OSEP is considering using the NAEP data in making the BIE’s 2022 determination under IDEA
section 616(d) .
Page 2— Chief State School Officer
Federated States of Micronesia ’s 2021 determination is based on the data reflected in the Entity’s
“2021 Part B Results -Driven Accountability Matrix” (RDA Matrix). The RDA Matrix is
individualized for each Entity and consists of:
(1) a Compliance Matrix that includes scoring on Compliance Indicators and other
compliance factors;
(2) a Results Matrix that includes scoring on Results Elements;
(3) a Compli ance Score and a Results Score;
(4) an RDA Percentage based on both the Compliance Score and the Results Score; and
(5) the Entity’s Determination.
The RDA Matrix is further explained in a document, entitled “How the Department Made
Determinations under Section 6 16(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2021:
Freely Associated States, Outlying Areas, and the Bureau of Indian Education -Part B”
(HTDMD).
The specifics of the determination procedures and criteria are set forth in the HTDMD and
reflec ted in the RDA Matrix for the Federated States of Micronesia . In making Part B
determinations in 2021, OSEP used results data related to:
(1) the percentage of CWD who graduated with a regular high school diploma; and
(2) the percentage of CWD who dropped out.
You m ay access the results of OSEP’s review of the Federated States of Micronesia ’s SPP/APR
and other relevant data by accessing the EMAPS SPP/APR reporting tool using your Entity -
specific log -on information at https://emaps.ed.gov/suite /. When you access the Federated States
of Micronesia ’s SPP/APR on the site, you will find, in applicable 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 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 do cuments saved as attachments:
(1) the Federated States of Micronesia ’s RDA Matrix;
(2) the HTDMD document;
(3) a spreadsheet entitled “2021 Data Rubric Part B,” which shows how OSEP calculated the
Federated States of Micronesia ’s “Timely and Accurate State -Reported Data” s core in the
Compliance Matrix; and
(4) a document entitled “Dispute Resolution 2019 -2020,” which includes the IDEA section
618 data that OSEP used to calculate Federated States of Micronesia ’s “Timely State
Complaint Decisions” and “Timely Due Process Hearing Decisions” scores in the
Compliance Matrix.
As noted above, the Federated States of Micronesia ’s 2021 determination is Needs Assistance. A
State’s or Entity’s 2021 RDA Determination is Needs Assistance if the RDA Percentage is at
least 60% but less than 80%. A State’s or Entity’s determination would also be Needs Assistance
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if its RDA Determination percentage is 80% or above but the Department has imposed Specific
Conditions on the State’s or Entity’s last three IDEA Part B grant awards (for FFYs 2018, 2019,
and 2020), and those Specific Conditions are in effect at the time of the 2021 determination.
The Federated States of Micronesia ’s determination for 2020 was also Needs Assistance. 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 it needs assistance and require the State or
Entity to work with appropriate entities;
(2) direct the use of State or Entity -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 Specific Conditions on the
State’s or Entity’s IDEA Part B grant award.
Pursuant to these requirements, the S ecretary is advising the Federated States of Micronesia of
available sources of technical assistance, including OSEP -funded technical assistance centers
and resources at the following website: https://osep.communities.ed.gov , and requiring the
Federated States of Micronesia to work with appropriate entities. In addition, the Federated
States of Micronesia should consider accessing technical assistance from other Departme nt-
funded centers such as the Comprehensive Centers with resources at the following link:
https://compcenternetwork.org/states . The Secretary directs the Federated States of Micronesia to
determine the resul ts elements and/or compliance indicators, and improvement strategies, on
which it will focus its use of available technical assistance, in order to improve its performance.
We strongly encourage the Federated States of Micronesia to access technical assistance related
to those results elements and compliance indicators for which Federated States of Micronesia
received a score of zero. The Federated States of Micronesia must report with its FFY 2020
SPP/APR submission, due February 1, 2022, on:
(1) the technical assist ance sources from which the Federated States of Micronesia received
assistance; and
(2) the actions the Federated States of Micronesia took as a result of that technical assistance.
As required by IDEA section 616(e)(7) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.606, the Federated States of
Mi cronesia must notify the public that the Secretary of Education has taken the above
enforcement actions, including, at a minimum, by posting a public notice on its website and
distributing the notice to the media and through public agencies.
States and Ent ities were required to submit Phase III Year Five of the SSIP by April 1, 2021.
OSEP appreciates the Federated States of Micronesia ’s ongoing work on its SSIP and its efforts
to improve results for students with disabilities. We have carefully reviewed and res ponded to
your submission and will provide additional feedback in the upcoming weeks. Additionally,
OSEP will continue to provide technical assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia as it
implements the SSIP, which is due on February 1, 2022.
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As a reminder, the Federated States of Micronesia must make its SPP/APR available to the
public by posting it on its agency’s website. Within the upcoming weeks, OSEP will be finalizing
an Entity Profile that:
(1) includes the Entity’s determination letter and SPP/APR, OSEP attachments, and al l Entity
attachments that are accessible in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973; and
(2) will be accessible to the public via the ed.gov website.
OSEP appreciates the Federated States of Micronesia ’s efforts to improve results for childr en and
youth with disabilities and looks forward to working with the Federated States of Micronesia
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 Lea d if you have any questions,
would like to discuss this further, or want to request technical assistance.
Sincerely,
David Cantrell, PhD
Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
cc: Federated States of Micronesia Director of Special Education
(Grant Year 2019–2020 — Issued June 24, 2021)
How the department made determinations
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Last modified on August 10, 2021