U.S. Department of Education Closes IDEA Monitoring of Idaho

More than five years after it started monitoring Idaho, U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs issues close-out letter.

September 17, 2024, U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) issued a Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) report for Idaho. The report identified eight findings of non‑compliance with IDEA Part C across four major areas (provision of early intervention services, monitoring and improvement, fiscal management, and dispute resolution) and was based on interviews OSEP conducted during November 2 and December 2, 2020; virtual meetings in October 2023; and an onsite visit on October 23–27, 2023.

The report set specific deadlines for Idaho to address the noncompliance. Policies had to be submitted within 90 days of the monitoring report (deadline=December 16, 2024) and evidence of implementation was due as soon as possible, but not later than one year from the date of the monitoring report (deadline=September 17, 2025). Yet the follow‑up submissions stretched beyond the deadlines. OSEP ultimately issued a close‑out letter February 18, 2026, indicating that all findings were resolved.