How we grade
The ConnectIDD School Standard: six pillars of public data, scored the same way as State of Support.
First edition. These grades are new (November 2026) and the weights may still change. Texas graduation data is being confirmed with the state.
Six pillars
| Pillar | Weight | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Following the law | 20 | IDEA Part B determination 2026; years rated Meets Requirements, 2014 to 2026 |
| Learning together | 20 | Students in regular classes 80% or more of the day; students with intellectual disability in regular classes 80% or more; separate schools, residential and homebound (lower is better); preschoolers in regular early childhood programs |
| Results | 25 | NAEP 2024 students with disabilities at or above Basic (average of 4 tests); leavers with a regular diploma; leavers who dropped out (lower is better) |
| School funding | 15 | Education Law Center funding level and funding effort grades |
| Family protections | 10 | Universal K to 3 dyslexia screening; a state special education or education ombudsman |
| Options and transition | 10 | The last birthday special education continues; a private school choice program students with disabilities can use |
The math
- Each measure is turned into a z-score across the 50 states and DC, capped at plus or minus 2.5.
- Measures are averaged by weight inside each pillar. A pillar needs at least half its weight present.
- Pillars are averaged by weight. A state needs 70% of the total weight to get a grade.
- Letter grades use the same bands as State of Support (The ConnectIDD Standard 1.1).
- The combined grade is the average of the State of Support and State of Schools overall z-scores, with the same bands.
Sources
- OSEP 2026 IDEA determinations (June 2026) and the Advocacy Institute's compilation of determinations, 2014 to 2026.
- IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count and Educational Environments 2024-25, and Part B Exiting 2023-24 (data.ed.gov).
- NAEP 2024 Data Service, grades 4 and 8, reading and math, students with disabilities.
- Education Law Center, Making the Grade 2025; ECS Special Education Funding (September 2025); ED IDEA Part B age chart (March 2026); EdChoice 2026; National Center on Improving Literacy; state agency pages.
Coming next
- Discipline of students with disabilities
- Certified special education teachers
- Post-school outcomes (Indicator 14)
- Use of dispute resolution
- Per-pupil spending
Last reviewed: November 2026. Rules, programs and phone numbers change. Check with the office named on this page. Report outdated or wrong information.