2022 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters PART B — Puerto Rico
OSEP Response to SPP/APR
PDF2022 SPP/APR Submission PART B — Puerto Rico
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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
NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
O
FFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
June 23, 2022
Honorable Eliezer Ramos Parez
Secretary
Puerto Rico Department of Education
P.O. Box 190759
San Juan , Puerto Rico 00919
Dear Secretary Parez:
I am writing to advise you of the U. S. Department of Education’s (Department) 2022
determination under S ection 616 of the Individuals with Di sabilities Education Act (IDEA). The
Department has determined that Puerto Rico needs assistance in implementing the requirements
of Part B of the IDEA. This determination is based on the totality of Puerto Rico ’s data and
information, including the Federa l fiscal year (FFY) 2020 State Performance Plan/Annual
Performance Report (SPP/APR), other Entity- reported data, and other publicly available
information.
With the FFY 2020 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 impac t 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 2020 SPP/APR. When making determination
decisions for 2022, OSEP considered all information submitted that related to the impact of the
COVID- 19 pandemic. For 2022 determinations, as with 2021 determinations, no State or Entity
received a determination of “Needs Intervention” due solely to data impacted by COVI D-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
2022, as it did for determinations in 2021.
1 Puerto Rico ’s 2022 determination is based on the data
reflected in the Entity’s “2022 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 Indicator s and other
compliance factors;
1 For the 2022 determinations, OSEP is using results data on the participation and performance of children with disabilities on the
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Bureau of Indian
Education. Starting in 2022, OSEP is using the NAEP data in making the BIE’s 2022 dete rmination (as indicated in the 2021
determination letters to States and Entities) . OSEP is considering whether to use the available NAEP data in making Puerto
Rico’s 2023 determination.
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(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) the Entity’s Determination.
T h e R DA 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 2022:
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
reflected in the RDA Matrix for Puerto Rico . In making Part B determinations in 2022, OSEP
used results data related to:
(1) the participation and performance of CWD on the most recently administered (school
year 2018- 2019) National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP);
2
(2) the percentage of CWD who graduated with a regular high school diploma; and
(3) the percentage of CWD who dropped out.
In 2022, States wer e required to submit a new SPP/APR for FFYs 2020 through 2025. The 2022
submission of the SPP/APR is the third six -year SPP and includes baseline data and measurable
and rigorous targets for FFY 2020 through FFY 2025 for each indicator in the SPP/APR. OSE P
has reviewed and approved your State’s SPP under IDEA S ection 616(b) to include measurable
and rigorous targets for FFY 2025 that reflect improvement over the State’s baseline data. Any
action required by the State is reflected in OSEP’s response.
For t he Department’s 2023 determinations, the Department is reviewing and considering whether
and how to use existing indicators and/or other available data in making its determinations as
part of its continuing effort to prioritize equity and improve results f or infants, toddlers and
children with disabilities. In April 2022, the Department released an equity action plan as part of
its efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities. Examples of existing
indicators that could be considered and/or be weighted differently include indicators on child
find (for Part C) and/or significant discrepancy and disproportionate representation (for Part B).
We will offer opportunities for input from the public, including parents, agencies that implement
IDEA and other stakeholders, to provide feedback in the coming months, starting with the OSEP
Leadership Conference in July 2022 as well as through email submissions and listening sessions
open to the public.
As noted earlier, for its 2021 and 2022 determ inations, the Department did not issue a
determination of “Needs Intervention” to any State because States’ SPP/APR data collections for
FFY 2019 and FFY 2020 were impacted by COVID -19. OSEP is considering, but has not yet
determined, whether and how a Sta te’s FFY 2021 SPP/APR data collection that was affected by
COVID- 19 will be considered in the Department’s 2023 determinations.
You may access the results of OSEP’s review of Puerto Rico ’s SPP/APR and other relevant data
by accessing the EMAPS SPP/APR reporting tool using your Entity- specific log-on information
2 This element applies only to the BIE’s determination, and not to oth er Entities’ determinations. See footnote 1.
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at https://emaps.ed.gov/suite/
. When you access Puerto Rico ’s SPP/APR on the site, you will
find, in applicable Indicators 1 through 17, 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 t he 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: (1) Puerto Rico ’s RDA Matrix;
(2) the HTDMD document;
(3) a spreadsheet entitled “2022 Data Rubric Part B,” which shows how OSEP calculated
Puerto Rico ’s “Timely and Accurate State -Reported Data” score in the Compliance
Matrix; and
(4) a document entitled “Dispute Reso lution 2020-2021,” which includes the IDEA S ection
618 data that OSEP used to calculate Puerto Rico ’s “Timely State Complaint Decisions”
and “Timely Due Process Hearing Decisions” scores in the Compliance Matrix.
As noted above, Puerto Rico ’s 2022 determination is Needs Assistance. A State’s or Entity’s
2022 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 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 2019, 2020, and 2021),
and those Specific Conditions are in effect at the time of the 2022 determination.
Puerto Rico ’s determination for 2021 was also Needs Assistance. In accordance with S ection
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 Secretary is advising Puerto Rico of available sources of
technical assistance, incl uding OSEP-funded technical assistance centers and resources at the
following websites: Monitoring and State Impr ovement Planning (MSIP) | OSEP Ideas That
Wo r k, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Topic Areas , and requiring Puerto
Rico to work with appropriate entities. In addition, Puerto Rico should consider accessing
technical assistance from other Department -funded centers such as the Comprehensive Centers
with resources at the following link: https://compcenternetwork.org/states . The Secretary directs
Puerto Rico to determine the results elements and/or compliance indicators, and improvement
strategies, on which it will focus its use of available technical assistance, in order to improve its
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performance. We strongly encourage Pue
rto Rico to access technical assistance related to those
results elements and compliance indicators for which Puerto Rico received a score of zero.
Puerto Rico must report with its FFY 2021 SPP/APR submission, due February 1, 2023, on:
(1) the technical assis tance sources from which Puerto Rico received assistance; and
(2) the actions Puerto Rico took as a result of that technical assistance.
As required by IDEA S ection 616(e)(7) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.606, Puerto Rico must notify the
public that the Secretary of E ducation 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.
As a reminder, Puerto Rico must make its SPP/APR available to the pub lic by posting it on the
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 all Entity
attachments that are accessible in accordance wi th Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973; and
(2) will be accessible to the public via the ed.gov website.
OSEP appreciates Puerto Rico ’s efforts to improve results for children and youth with disabilities
and looks forward to working with Puerto Rico over the next year as we continue our important
work of improving the lives of children wit h 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,
Valerie Williams
Director
Office of Special Education Programs
cc: Puerto Rico Director of Special Education
(Grant Year 2020–2021 — Issued June 23, 2022)
How the department made determinations (Entities)
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Last modified on October 6, 2022