Significant Disproportionality

What is Significant Disproportionality?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every state must examine district-level data to determine whether significant disproportionality—based on race or ethnicity—is occurring in special education identification, disability category, educational placement, or discipline. This requirement, outlined in 34 C.F.R. §300.646, applies to all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) nationwide.

When a district is identified with Significant Disproportionality, IDEA requires that LEAs reserve 15 percent of their Part B funds to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) and to review and, if necessary, revise the policies, practices, and procedures that may contribute to the identified pattern.

CELL’s Indiana Disproportionality Resource Center (IDRC), based at Indiana University, provides expert guidance to districts in Indiana and across the United States on understanding these requirements, interpreting state-reported data, and strengthening decision-making practices.

Federal Requirements Under IDEA Section 618(d)

States must collect and analyze data to determine whether significant disproportionality is occurring within districts in relation to:

(A) The identification of children with disabilities, including identification in specific disability categories; and
(B) The incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary removals, including suspensions and expulsions.

These decisions are based strictly on data. States must apply their risk ratio thresholds and minimum cell sizes uniformly across districts.

Although each state establishes its own criteria, IDEA requires the review of four broad areas:

Commonly reviewed categories include:

Overall identification
Intellectual disability
Specific learning disability
Emotional disturbance
Speech or language impairment
Other health impairment
Autism

Typically includes:

Inside the regular class less than 40% of the day
Separate schools or residential facilities

Review areas generally include:

In-school suspensions (≤10 days and >10 days)
Out-of-school suspensions/expulsions (≤10 days and >10 days)
Total disciplinary removals

States must examine:

American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
White
Two or more races

Most states—including Indiana—use risk ratios (or alternate risk ratios) and require that thresholds be met for three consecutive years before identifying Significant Disproportionality.

As an Indiana-based institute, CELL’s IDRC has extensive experience with the state’s implementation of IDEA requirements. While the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) conducts the official calculations and issues all determinations, Indiana generally follows practices consistent with federal guidance, including:

Applying a risk ratio threshold (e.g., ≥ 2.5)
Requiring three consecutive years of data
Ensuring a minimum sample size (minimum n-size) before analysis
- n ≥ 15 for identification categories (Indicators 9 & 10)
- n ≥ 10 for discipline categories (Indicators 4A & 4B)
- n ≥ 15 for identification categories (Indicators 9 & 10)
- n ≥ 10 for discipline categories (Indicators 4A & 4B)
Reviewing identification, eligibility category, placement, and discipline patterns
Issuing determinations annually, typically in late spring

What Happens When a District Is Identified?

Districts identified with Significant Disproportionality must:

Reserve 15% of IDEA Part B funds for
Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS)
Review their policies, practices, and procedures
Address factors contributing to the identified pattern

Categories Reviewed in Indiana

Identification (overall & specific disability categories)
Educational placement
Discipline (suspensions/expulsions)

Indiana applies these requirements to all seven federally required racial/ethnic groups.

CELL’s IDRC provides expertise to districts seeking support in understanding the determination, conducting system reviews, and planning next steps.

How Significant Disproportionality Differs From Other State Findings

Districts may encounter related, but distinct, determinations:

Significant Discrepancy (Discipline)

Based on discipline rates; no required fiscal set-aside.

Disproportionate Representation (Indicators 9 & 10)

May involve a review of policies and procedures; no required set-aside.

Significant Disproportionality (IDEA §300.646)

Determined solely by data
Requires 15% CCEIS set-aside
Requires policy/practice/procedure review
Applies to identification, placement, and discipline

CELL supports districts in understanding all three types of determinations.

CELL’s Role in Supporting Districts in Indiana and Nationally

CELL’s Indiana Disproportionality Resource Center (IDRC) provides expert support in:

Understanding state-reported risk ratios and thresholds
Interpreting identification, eligibility, placement, and discipline data
Reviewing local policies, practices, and procedures
Conducting analyses of contributing factors using research-based tools
Developing and implementing CCEIS plans when required
Building internal district capacity to support sustainable improvement

While our work is grounded in deep expertise in Indiana’s systems, our guidance and tools are applicable to districts across the United States.

Significant Disproportionality

What is Significant Disproportionality?

Federal Requirements Under IDEA Section 618(d)

Although each state establishes its own criteria, IDEA requires the review of four broad areas:

1. Identification (overall and by disability category)

2. Educational Placement

3. Discipline

4. Required Racial/Ethnic Categories

Most states—including Indiana—use risk ratios (or alternate risk ratios) and require that thresholds be met for three consecutive years before identifying Significant Disproportionality.

What Happens When a District Is Identified?

Categories Reviewed in Indiana

How Significant Disproportionality Differs From Other State Findings

CELL’s Role in Supporting Districts in Indiana and Nationally

Indiana Disproportionality Resource Center resources