IDEA Grants: OSSE Policy & Guidance

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provides Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant funding to local education agencies (LEAs) to support the needs of students with disabilities. Budgetary monitoring and federal reporting activities are conducted each year to ensure LEAs dedicate these resources to improved learning environments and outcomes for students with disabilities.

IDEA applications include two phases. Phase I requires assurances and a comparison of each LEA’s proposed local special education budget from the application year and the prior year. Phase II includes program and budget information. Both phases are completed in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). Completed Phase II applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be approved for LEAs to access funds.

IDEA Grant Allowable Uses lists how these funds can be spent by subgrantees.

OSSE released the following IDEA guidance in 2012: Guidance for Changes and Requirements of the Funding for Public Schools and Public Charter Schools Amendment Act of 2011.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds included a supplemental increase to IDEA, Part B through ARP-IDEA 611 and ARP-IDEA 619. For guidance on this recovery funding, view Funding Your Continuous Education Plan: Using ARP-IDEA to Support Students with Disabilities.

Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) IDEA Maintenance of Effort Reporting

Each year, LEAs that are awarded the IDEA grant are required to report financial data to determine the LEA's compliance with the grant’s maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. An LEA meets MOE when it can demonstrate it did not reduce expenditures for the education of students with disabilities year over year. For FY23 reporting, LEAs will be comparing expenditure data between FY21 and FY22. You can find a copy of the MOE expenditure tool and guidance on how to complete each tab below:

LEAs need to demonstrate compliance with this requirement by completing a FY23 MOE expenditure tool and sending it to Megan Williams at [email protected] by April 24, 2023.

You can find a copy of the MOE expenditure tool and guidance on how to complete each tab below:

FY23 MOE Expenditure Tool

FY23 MOE Guidance

To help LEAs complete the MOE expenditure workbook correctly, please take note of the tips below:

Fill out tabs A-H based on your FY22 local special education expenditures from your LEA's Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) funds.
Although tab G or local funds spent on Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS), and the Attorney Fees tab are not included in the MOE total on the Summary Tab, LEAs are still required to report on the local funds spent in these areas.
Please report allowable reductions under the Adjustments and Exceptions tabs for the corresponding year.
The authorized LEA representative should sign a PDF copy of the "Summary" Tab.
Submit the signed copy via email to [email protected].

Additional IDEA Grant Information

For additional information about IDEA grants, please select the links below.