When Access to Educational Data is Limited
When Access to Educational Data is Limited
Embedded Files
Access to educational data is essential for informed decision-making, meaningful participation, and appropriate educational programming.
Access to educational data is essential for informed decision-making, meaningful participation, and appropriate educational programming.
When access to data is limited, delayed, or incomplete, decisions and services that rely on that data may be affected.
When access to data is limited, delayed, or incomplete, decisions and services that rely on that data may be affected.
Warning Signs May Include:
| When Decisions Are Made Without Objective Data
| When Decisions Are Made Without Objective Data
Decisions are based on observations without supporting objective data
Progress monitoring uses narrative summaries instead of measurable, quantitative data
Interventions continue without evidence of effectiveness
Collected data is not used to inform instructional decisions or service delivery
Decisions are made without clear baseline data or measurable criteria
These patterns may indicate that decisions are not sufficiently supported.
These patterns may indicate that decisions are not sufficiently supported.
| When Data Is Incomplete or Inaccessible
| When Data Is Incomplete or Inaccessible
Records are provided in a disorganized, duplicative, or non-sequential manner that limits meaningful review
Summaries are provided in place of underlying data (e.g., raw scores, progress monitoring, service logs)
Records are described as “previously provided” without producing specific, responsive documents
Data is provided without context, explanation, or supporting documentation
Inspection-only access is offered without meaningful ability to review or obtain copies
Access to records is delayed until right before meetings or after meetings had already taken place
When These Patterns Occur
Parent participation may be limited
Decisions may not be fully informed
The student’s needs may not be accurately identified
Legal Foundations
Legal Foundations
Parents have the right to inspect and review educational records under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (34 C.F.R. § 300.613) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (34 C.F.R. § 99.10).
Parents have the right to inspect and review educational records under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (34 C.F.R. § 300.613) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (34 C.F.R. § 99.10).
Educational decisions must be based on a variety of assessment tools and data (34 C.F.R. § 300.304).
Educational decisions must be based on a variety of assessment tools and data (34 C.F.R. § 300.304).
Public schools must ensure equal opportunity to access and benefit from educational programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 (28 C.F.R. § 35.130; 34 C.F.R. § 104.4).
Public schools must ensure equal opportunity to access and benefit from educational programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 (28 C.F.R. § 35.130; 34 C.F.R. § 104.4).
When data is incomplete, inaccessible, or not used appropriately, the decision-making process itself may be compromised.
When data is incomplete, inaccessible, or not used appropriately, the decision-making process itself may be compromised.
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