eNotes
November 24, 2025Updates from the ECTA Center
Preparation for 2024 Annual Performance Report
The February 2 deadline is quickly approaching for Part C and Part B staff to complete their Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR). Resources, developed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy), help states understand the purpose of the SPP/APR, each indicator’s reporting requirements, and efficient ways to prepare and submit the report.
- FFY 2024 SPP/APR Part C Template
- FFY 2024 SPP/APR Part B Template
- SPP/APR Basics, What You Need to Know Training Series is a collection of self-directed modules that provide a basic understanding of the IDEA Part C and Part B 619 SPP/APR indicators and their requirements. They are especially helpful for anyone new to the SPP/APR process and anyone who needs a refresher.
- SPP/APR Checklists and Tips are organized by indicator and by the fields as they appear in the SPP/APR submission platform and help states determine if all relevant instructions are addressed for each indicator.
- Data Calculations provide detailed information about the data needed for each indicator’s calculation based on the federal measurement tables and related documentation. The documents provide information about the data for the numerator and denominator, data points for the calculation, data sources, and example calculations. All Part C indicators are referenced, as are Part B preschool Indicators B6, B7, and B12.
- C12 Indicator resources support states in tracking and reporting this data. Additional C12 resources coming soon include:
- C12 SPP/APR Module
- C12 SPP/APR Checklist and Tips
- C12 SPP/APR Data Calculations
When the Part C and Part B SPP/APR Packages are available, they will be posted at: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/grantees/#SPP-APR
International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute
The 2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute will be May 19-21, with in-person sessions at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC and virtual sessions. The theme is Powerful Partnerships: Strengthening Inclusion with Families, Communities, and Change-Makers. Additional virtual sessions will be held June 24-25. Registration for the Institute opens January 14. The Institute is a premier educational experience focused on evidence-informed inclusive practices. It has drawn people from around the world to develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems that support early childhood inclusion, discover evidence-based practices, resources, and tools for promoting opportunities for inclusion, meet, learn from, and problem-solve with peers. The Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center and Brookes Publishing sponsor the Institute.
News from the Field
50 Years of IDEA
Fifty years ago this month, Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142). It helped states and localities protect the rights of, meet the individual needs of, and improve the results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. In 1990 the law’s name changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Schools in the U.S. in 1970 educated only one in five children with disabilities. Many states excluded certain students, including children who were deaf, blind, emotionally disturbed, or had an intellectual disability. Today, students with disabilities make up more than 15% of all public school students.
Teachers Using AI to Help Write IEPs; Advocates Have Concerns
A growing number of special education teachers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to write students’ individualized education programs (IEPs), even as many districts lack policies about how to use this evolving technology. Educators have long struggled to keep up with IEP paperwork. But using AI to create IEPs brings both new benefits and risks.
"Carl the Collector" on PBS KIDS Series Introduces Non-Speaking Autistic Character with AAC Device
Carl the Collector is the first PBS KIDS series to feature a central character on the autism spectrum, and has added a new character. Paolo is autistic like Carl, mostly non-speaking/preverbal, and communicates with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. The voice through Paolo’s special speech table is that of Odin Frost, who is autistic, non-speaking, and uses an AAC device. In addition to Carl and Paolo, both raccoons, the show also includes Lotta the fox, who is also autistic. Through these three characters, viewers can learn how autism presents through different personalities.
Research
Early Childhood Special Educator Teacher Candidates' Journeys into the Profession
With the shortage of qualified teachers, attracting more individuals to the early childhood special education profession is an important task. In Early Childhood Special Educator Teacher Candidates' Journeys into the Profession, a qualitative study examined the journey of 13 early childhood special education teacher candidates into teaching. It found that sociocultural contexts and past experiences, especially with disability and education, influenced teacher candidates' decisions.
Teacher-child relationships as mediators between repetitive behaviors and school adjustment in preschoolers with ASD
Early school adjustment is an important process for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It influences their academic success and the development of social communication and interaction skills. In Teacher-child relationships as mediators between repetitive behaviors and school adjustment in preschoolers with ASD, a study explored the direct and indirect relationships between preschoolers with ASD, repetitive behaviors, teacher‐child relationship quality, and school adjustment. Ninety‐six children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and between 2 years and almost 8 years participated in the study.