NEW: 2026 IDEA State Ratings

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), evaluates every state's implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The purpose of these annual determinations is to assess whether states are:

• Meeting the requirements of IDEA

• Ensuring students with disabilities receive the services and protections required by federal law

• Improving educational outcomes for children with disabilities

2026 IDEA Determination Letters on State Implementation of IDEA  →

Why Does This Matter?

State determinations provide important information about how well a state's special education system is functioning.

The determination reflects statewide performance in areas such as:

• IDEA compliance

• Educational outcomes

• Federal reporting requirements

• Timely evaluations

• Early intervention services

• Graduation and dropout rates

• Transition planning

• Dispute resolution and corrective actions

• Other federally required performance indicators

These determinations are based on statewide data—not on a single student's experience or one school district.