IRS

Information and Reporting Services

Criteria for Notification of Significant Disproportionality

Suspension: Significant Disproportionality by Race and Ethnicity in Disciplinary Actions for Students with Disabilities
Category: Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Category Notification
Identification: Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Identification Notification
Placement: Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Placement Notification

2021-22 Criteria for Notification of Significant Disproportionality

Significant Disproportionality by Race and Ethnicity in Disciplinary Actions
for Students with Disabilities
2021-2022 Notification Based on 2020-2021 Data

Measurement: SED computed relative risk ratios for each race and ethnicity to determine disproportionality. A Risk Ratio is a numerical comparison, expressed as a ratio or decimal, that compares the risk of one group to the risk of another group. For special education, the Risk Ratio compares the risk of a specific outcome for a specific racial or ethnic group in a district and the risk of that same outcome for all other children in the district. The ratios indicate how much more or less likely each race and ethnicity is to be suspended compared to all other races and ethnicities combined.

  1. The district count of students with disabilities of a particular race and ethnicity who were suspended are compared to the district count of all students with disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity who were enrolled in the district during the school year. This results in a district risk rate for students with disabilities of a specific race or ethnicity.
  2. The district count of students with disabilities of all other race and ethnicities who were suspended are compared to the district count of all students with disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in the district during the school year. This results in a district comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities.
  3. The statewide count of students with disabilities who were suspended of all other race and ethnicities are compared to the statewide count of all students with disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in the district during the school year. This results in a statewide comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities.
  4. The district risk rate calculated in Step 1 is then divided by either the district comparison rate calculated in Step 2 or the statewide comparison rate calculated in Step 3. This results in the relative risk ratio. The United States Department of Education requires NYSED to use the statewide comparison rate if there were less than 10 students with disabilities suspended of all other races OR if there were less than 30 students with disabilities of all other races enrolled in the district during the school year. When the statewide comparison rate is used, this results in an alternate risk ratio that is then used for determining disproportionality.

When a district shows disproportionality for three years in a row for the same race and ethnicity in the same category, the district is identified as having Significant Disproportionality. When a district is identified as having significant disproportionality, the district is subject to a monitoring review and is required to reserve 15 percent of IDEA funds (Sections 611 and 619) to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) for students in grades K-12.

When a district shows disproportionality for one or two years, they are notified as being At Risk for Significant Disproportionality.

Source of Data:
Numbers of suspensions were reported in the PD8 report for the 2020-21 school year in Table 1, Section 3, Column B Total. The school year count of students age 3-21 are reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS). To view a description of PD system reports, including SIRS codes, please click here.

Criteria for Significant Disproportionality:
Current year and prior two years of data showing:

  1. At least 30 students with disabilities of the particular race were enrolled in the district during the school year
  2. At least 10 students with disabilities of the particular race were suspended in the following suspension categories:
    • suspended in school 10 days or fewer
    • suspended in school more than 10 days
    • suspended out of school 10 days or fewer
    • suspended out of school more than 10 days
    • Total Removals (the number of times students of a particular race and ethnicity were suspended).
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity suspended in or out of school for more than 10 days that exceeds 2.0; or
  4. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity suspended in or out of school for 10 days or fewer that exceeds 3.0; or
  5. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity for Total Removals that exceeds 4.0

Criteria for being "At Risk":
Current year or current year and prior year data showing:

  1. At least 30 students with disabilities of the particular race were enrolled in the district during the school year
  2. At least 10 students with disabilities of the particular race were suspended in the following suspension categories:
    • suspended in school 10 days or fewer
    • suspended in school more than 10 days
    • suspended out of school 10 days or fewer
    • suspended out of school more than 10 days
    • Total Removals (the number of times students of a particular race and ethnicity were suspended).
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity suspended in or out of school for more than 10 days that exceeds 2.0; or
  4. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity suspended in or out of school for 10 days or fewer that exceeds 3.0; or
  5. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity for Total Removals that exceeds 4.0

Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Category Notification
based on 2021-22 Data

Percent of districts with disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education and related services that is the result of inappropriate identification. (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(C))

Measurement:
SED computed relative risk ratios for each race and ethnicity and disability category to determine disproportionality. The disability categories examined are Autism, Emotional Disturbance, Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, and Other Health Impairment. A Risk Ratio is a numerical comparison, expressed as a ratio or decimal, that compares the risk of one group to the risk of another group. For special education, the Risk Ratio compares the risk of a specific outcome for a specific racial or ethnic group and specific disability category in a district and the risk of that same outcome for all other children in the district. The ratios indicate how much more or less likely each race and ethnicity is to be identified for Special Education and Related Services compared to all other races and ethnicities combined.

  1. The district count of students with disabilities of a particular race and ethnicity who were identified for Special Education and Related Services in a disability category are compared to the district count of all students, with and without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district risk rate for students with disabilities of a specific race or ethnicity and specific disability category.
  2. The district count of students with disabilities of all other race and ethnicities who were identified for Special Education and Related Services in a disability category are compared to the district count of all students, with and without disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities and specific disability category.
  3. The statewide count of students with disabilities who were identified for Special Education and Related Services in a disability category of all other race and ethnicities are compared to the statewide count of all students, with and without disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in a district on October 6, 2021. This results in a statewide comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities and specific disability category.
  4. The district risk rate calculated in Step 1 is then divided by either the district comparison rate calculated in Step 2 or the statewide comparison rate calculated in Step 3. This results in the relative risk ratio. The United States Department of Education requires NYSED to use the statewide comparison rate if there were less than 10 students with disabilities suspended of all other races OR if there were less than 30 students with disabilities of all other races enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. When the statewide comparison rate is used, this results in an alternate risk ratio that is then used for determining disproportionality.

When a district shows disproportionality for three years in a row for the same race and ethnicity, the district is identified as having Significant Disproportionality, is subject to a monitoring review and is required to reserve 15 percent of IDEA funds (Sections 611 and 619) to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) for students in grades K-12.

When a district shows disproportionality for one or two years, they are notified as being At Risk for Significant Disproportionality.

Source of data:

  • The number of students with disabilities receiving special education by race and ethnicity as of October 6, 2021(BEDS Day) were reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and verified in the VR3 "Ages 5 who are in Kindergarten through 21" table.
  • The total enrollment of all students (with and without disabilities) in the school district's jurisdiction by race and ethnicity is the sum of the enrollment by race/ethnicity in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day) through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS), including out-of-district placements.

Criteria for Significant Disproportionality:
Current year and prior two years of data showing:

  1. At least 10 students were identified for Special Education and Related Services of the particular race and ethnicity in the specific disability category; and
  2. At least 30 students, with and without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity that exceeds 4.0

Criteria for being "At Risk":
Current year or current year and prior year data showing:

  1. At least 10 students were identified for Special Education and Related Services of the particular race and ethnicity in the specific disability category; and
  2. At least 30 students, with and without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity that exceeds 4.0

Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Identification Notification
based on 2021-22 Data

Percent of districts with disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education and related services that is the result of inappropriate identification. (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(C)

Measurement:
SED computed relative risk ratios for each race and ethnicity to determine disproportionality. A Risk Ratio is a numerical comparison, expressed as a ratio or decimal, that compares the risk of one group to the risk of another group. For special education, the Risk Ratio compares the risk of a specific outcome for a specific racial or ethnic group in a district and the risk of that same outcome for all other children in the district. The ratios indicate how much more or less likely each race and ethnicity is to be identified for Special Education and Related Services compared to all other races and ethnicities combined.

  1. The district count of students with disabilities of a particular race and ethnicity who were identified for Special Education and Related Services are compared to the district count of all students, with and without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district risk rate for students with disabilities of a specific race or ethnicity.
  2. The district count of students with disabilities of all other race and ethnicities who were identified for Special Education and Related Services are compared to the district count of all students, with and without disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities
  3. The statewide count of students with disabilities who were identified for Special Education and Related Services of all other race and ethnicities are compared to the statewide count of all students, with and without disabilities, of all other race and ethnicities who were enrolled in a district on October 6, 2021. This results in a statewide comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other specific race and ethnicities.
  4. The district risk rate calculated in Step 1 is then divided by either the district comparison rate calculated in Step 2 or the statewide comparison rate calculated in Step 3. This results in the relative risk ratio. The United States Department of Education requires NYSED to use the statewide comparison rate if there were less than 10 students with disabilities suspended of all other races OR if there were less than 30 students with disabilities of all other races enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. When the statewide comparison rate is used, this results in an alternate risk ratio that is then used for determining disproportionality.

When a district shows disproportionality for three years in a row for the same race and ethnicity, the district is identified as having Significant Disproportionality, is subject to a monitoring review and is required to reserve 15 percent of IDEA funds (Sections 611 and 619) to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) for students in grades K-12.

When a district shows disproportionality for one or two years, they are notified as being At Risk for Significant Disproportionality

Source of data:

  • The district count of students with disabilities receiving special education by race and ethnicity as of October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day) was reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and verified in the VR 1 and VR3.
  • The district count of all students ages 3-21, with and without disabilities, enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day) by race and ethnicity was reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS), including out-of-district placements.

Criteria for Significant Disproportionality:
Current year and prior two years of data showing:

  1. At least 10 students were identified for Special Education and Related Services of the particular race and ethnicity; and
  2. At least 30 students, with and without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity that exceeds 2.5

Criteria for being "At Risk":
Current year or current year and prior year data showing:

  1. At least 10 students were identified for Special Education and Related Services of the particular race and ethnicity; and
  2. At least 30 students, with or without disabilities, of the particular race and ethnicity were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity that exceeds 2.5

Significant Disproportionality for Disability in Placement Notification
based on 2021-22 Data

Percent of districts with disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education and related services that is the result of inappropriate identification. (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(C))

Measurement:
SED computed relative risk ratios for each race and ethnicity and placement category to determine disproportionality. A Relative Risk Ratio is a numerical comparison, expressed as a ratio or decimal, that compares the risk of one group to the risk of another group. For special education, the Relative Risk Ratio compares the risk of a specific outcome for a specific racial or ethnic group and placement category in a district and the risk of that same outcome for all other children with disabilities in specific placement categories in the district. The ratios indicate how much more or less likely each race and ethnicity is to be identified for Special Education and Related Services and placed in a specific placement category compared to all other races and ethnicities combined.

  1. The district count of students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 of a particular race and ethnicity in a specific placement category are compared to the district count of all students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 of the particular race and ethnicity who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district risk rate for students with disabilities of a specific race or ethnicity in a specific placement category.
  2. The district count of students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 of all other races and ethnicities in a specific placement category are compared to the district count of all students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. This results in a district comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other races and ethnicities in a specific placement category.
  3. The statewide count of students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 of all other races and ethnicities in a specific placement category are compared to the statewide count of all students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through 21 who were enrolled in a district on October 6, 2021. This results in a statewide comparison rate for students with disabilities of all other races and ethnicities in a specific placement category.
  4. The district risk rate calculated in Step 1 is then divided by either the district comparison rate calculated in Step 2 or the statewide comparison rate calculated in Step 3. This results in the relative risk ratio. The United States Department of Education requires NYSED to use the statewide comparison rate if there were less than 10 students with disabilities of all other races in a specific disability category OR if there were less than 30 students with disabilities of all other races and ethnicities enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021. When the statewide comparison rate is used, this results in an alternate risk ratio that is then used for determining disproportionality.

When a district shows disproportionality for three years in a row for the same race and ethnicity and placement category, the district is identified as having Significant Disproportionality, is subject to a monitoring review and is required to reserve 15 percent of IDEA funds (Sections 611 and 619) to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) for students in grades K-12.

When a district shows disproportionality for one or two years, they are notified as being At Risk for Significant Disproportionality.

Source of data:

  • The number of students with disabilities receiving special education by race and ethnicity in specific placement categories as of October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day) were reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and verified in the VR5, Report 15B, Table 1 and Table 2.
  • The number of students with disabilities ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 21 who were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 were reported through the SIRS and verified in the VR5, Report 15B, Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.

Criteria for Significant Disproportionality:
Current year and prior two years of data showing:

  1. At least 10 students with disabilities of a particular race and ethnicity in a specific disability category were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  2. At least 30 students with disabilities of the particular race and ethnicity in a specific placement category were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day)
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity in a specific disability category that exceeds 2.5.

Criteria for being "At Risk":
Current year or current year and prior year data showing:

  1. At least 10 students with disabilities of a particular race and ethnicity in a specific disability category were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day); and
  2. At least 30 students with disabilities of the particular race and ethnicity in a specific placement category were enrolled in the district on October 6, 2021 (BEDS Day)
  3. A relative risk ratio for any race and ethnicity in a specific disability category that exceeds 2.5.
Last Updated: April 21, 2022 9:53 AM