Requirements of Coordinated Early Intervening Services

An LEA may use up to 15 percent of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (IDEA-B) funds for any fiscal year to develop and implement coordinated, early intervening services (CEIS) for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (with a particular emphasis on students in kindergarten through grade 3). The children are not currently identified as needing special education or related services but need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment (20 United States Code (U.S.C.) §1413(f), 34 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) §300.226).  An LEA identified as having significant disproportionality based on race or ethnicity must reserve the maximum amount of 15% of IDEA-B funds to be used for CEIS. 

Activities

In implementing coordinated, early intervening services under 34 C.F.R. §300.226, an LEA may carry out activities that include:

• Professional development (which may be provided by entities other than LEAs) for teachers and other school staff to enable such personnel to deliver scientifically based academic and behavioral interventions, including scientifically based literacy instruction, and, where appropriate, instruction on the use of adaptive and instructional software; and
• Provision of educational and behavioral evaluations, services, and supports, including scientifically based literacy instruction (34 C.F.R. §300.226(b)).

Relationship between CEIS and Free Appropriate Public Education

CEIS does not limit or create a right to Free, Appropriate Public Education under IDEA-B or allow an LEA to delay appropriate evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability (34 C.F.R. §300.226(c)).

Data Collection, Reporting, and Funding Requirements

LEAs are encouraged to develop data collecting and reporting systems in order to ensure timely and accurate submission to the State.  LEAs annually report data to the state using the Special Ed SC5100 Early Intervening Services Data Collection form associated with the Special Education Consolidated Grant application in the eGrants system.

• IDEA B MOE and CEIS Guidance Handbooks
• OSEP Memo 08-09 
• Federal Guidance 

Use of Data

States are required to annually report the data elements described in the above “Data Collection and Reporting Requirements” section to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. The State reviews statewide data on coordinated early intervening services to determine overall statewide performance. The State may also use the data to identify effective or successful programs. LEAs are encouraged to review the data they collect on an ongoing basis to determine the effectiveness of their early intervention efforts. 

Questions

If you have questions or concerns about coordinated early intervening services, please contact your Regional Education Service Center.