Indicators

Indicator 4A examines whether the overall rate of out-of-school suspensions or expulsions totaling more than 10 days for all students with disabilities in a district is significantly higher than the statewide rate for students with disabilities. 

What the calculation means 

A district may be identified for Indicator 4A if: 

• The risk ratio comparing the district’s discipline rate for students with disabilities to the statewide rate 

• Meets or exceeds the state-defined threshold (commonly 2.0) 

• For three consecutive years 

• And minimum cell size requirements are met 

If a district exceeds the criterion, the state typically requires a review of policies, practices, and procedures to determine whether they are appropriate and consistently implemented. 

Indicator 4B examines whether a particular racial or ethnic group of students with disabilities is removed from instruction (OSS/EXP >10 days) at a significantly higher rate than all other students with disabilities statewide. 

How the calculation works 

The state compares: 

• The risk index for a specific racial/ethnic group within the district to the risk index for all students with disabilities across the state 

A district may be identified if: 

• The risk ratio is at or above the threshold (commonly 2.0) 

• For three consecutive years 

• With sufficient sample size 

If identified, the state requires a review of policies, practices, and procedures, similar to Indicator 4A. 

Indicator 9 examines whether a racial or ethnic group is overrepresented in special education identification overall, relative to all other racial/ethnic groups in the district. 

How the calculation works 

The state calculates a relative risk ratio, comparing: 

• The risk index for a specific racial/ethnic group in the district to the risk index for all other racial/ethnic groups combined 

A district may be identified if: 

• The risk ratio meets or exceeds the state-defined threshold (commonly 2.0) 

• For three consecutive years 

• Cell size requirements are met 

A district identified for Indicator 9 must participate in a review of policies, practices, and procedures to determine whether they contribute to the pattern. 

Indicator 10 examines whether a racial or ethnic group is overrepresented in a specific disability category (e.g., SLD, ED, OHI, Autism). 

How the calculation works 

The state compares: 

• The risk index for identification of a specific disability category for one racial or ethnic group to the risk index for identification of the same disability category among all other students in the district 

Identification may occur if: 

• Risk ratio ≥ the state-defined threshold (commonly 2.0) 

• For three consecutive years 

• Minimum cell sizes are met (many states require 15 students across groups) 

As with Indicator 9, districts must review policies, practices, and procedures if identified. 

Disability Categories Commonly Reviewed for Indicator 10 

Indiana and many other states typically include: 

• Intellectual Disability (ID) 

• Specific Learning Disability (SLD) 

• Emotional Disturbance (ED) 

• Speech or Language Impairment (SLI) 

• Other Health Impairment (OHI) 

• Autism (AUT) 

States may update categories or methodologies over time, but these remain standard for IDEA monitoring nationwide. 

Risk ratios answer the question: 

How much more (or less) likely is a student in Group X to experience a given outcome compared to all other students? 

This includes: 

• Being identified for special education 

• Being identified for a specific disability 

• Receiving disciplinary removals 

• Being placed in restrictive settings 

CELL supports districts in understanding these metrics and how they relate to local processes and decision-making.