Post-school outcome data are often referred to as "follow-up data" or "post-school status data." These data are collected from special education leavers and their parents to provide a picture of the life after high school for these youths. CCTS and OSPI support school districts in these efforts by analyzing these data and providing state and district level reports.
School district personnel can use post-school outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of their special education programs. Post-school outcome data are tied to the LEA Application for Federal Funds for Special Education as one of four performance indicators. Districts must develop a plan to maintain or improve these indicators in their application.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the OSPI Special Education Section is required to submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to OSEP that incorporates performance indicators (provided by OSEP), activities, and targets for each indicator. In addition, OSPI must report publicly each district's annual progress for indicators 1-14. APRs for the last five years are available on OSPI's Special Education Data Collection web page.