State agencies must have a general supervision system in place to (1) improve educational results and functional outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and children with disabilities and (2) ensure that local education agencies and early intervening services programs and providers meet the requirements under the IDEA. State general supervision systems must be reasonably designed to meet these goals. A key responsibility of state general supervision systems is identifying, correcting, and reporting noncompliance. This guide focuses on the steps involved in these processes and is based on the Office of Special Education Programs QA 23-01: State General Supervision Responsibilities Under Parts B and C of the IDEA.
IDEA Part C Maintenance of Effort: The Basics
This TA On Demand video reviews the IDEA prohibition against supplanting requirement, also known as maintenance of effort. It identifies sources of state and local funds to include in MOE and describes the circumstances under which allowances may be made to reduce a state’s required level of effort.
To learn how to make these calculations, watch IDEA Part C Maintenance of Effort: Calculations.
IDEA Part C Maintenance of Effort: Calculations
This TA On Demand video reviews the two comparisons that states must make to show that they are meeting the IDEA Part C maintenance of effort requirement. The video walks through the calculations for a sample state.
For an introduction to the two comparisons and the sources of funds that may be included, watch IDEA Part C Maintenance of Effort: The Basics.
Budgeting and Monitoring IDEA Part B State Set-Aside Funds
This practice guide helps states set aside IDEA funds to administer their Part B programs and support other state-level activities. It describes the maximum set-aside amounts, allowable uses, and the importance of tracking expenditures during the life cycle of the grant.
This publication was updated in 2025 to reflect changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance. We recommend replacing the original resource in your records with this version.
Reallocating Local Educational Agency IDEA Part B Funds
This practice guide helps states manage unspent LEA Part B funds and reduce the need to revert them to the federal government. State fiscal staff will learn when and how funds may be reallocated to other LEAs and when the state may keep them for state-level activities.
This publication was updated in 2025 to reflect changes to prior approval regulation. We recommend replacing the original resource in your records with this version.
IDEA Part C Fiscal Requirements
These TA On Demand videos introduce new Part C state staff to several major IDEA fiscal requirements.
Part 1 is an overview of Part C fiscal regulations, including requirements under OMB Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and IDEA (26 minutes).
Part 2 reviews the fiscal requirements in Sections III and IV of the state grant application, how to manage a grant post-award, and Part C maintenance of effort (40 minutes).
Letter to Picard
This OSERS letter details the approval of a state request to reallocate IDEA Part B state-level activities funds to purchase equipment and materials for a regional assistive technology center. The letter clarifies that no prior approval from Department of Education is required to fund a new staff position for the center ; however, it is the state’s responsibility to ensure Part B funds are spent in accordance with all applicable requirements.
Quick Reference Guide on the Timely Expenditure of Funds
Spending federal funds within the allowed timelines is essential to meeting the purposes of IDEA but can be a challenge for many states. This quick reference guide will help states deepen their understanding of obligation and liquidation requirements and timelines, the grant funding cycle, and oversight responsibilities.
Quick Reference Guide on IDEA Part C Maintenance of Effort
Understand Part C MOE and its importance. Learn what funds to include, circumstances when allowances may be made, and the consequences of not meeting this IDEA requirement. Includes questions and answers for states to consider as they maintain effort.
State General Supervision Responsibilities Under Parts B and C of the IDEA
This OSEP guidance provides states with the information necessary to exercise their general supervision responsibilities under IDEA and ensure appropriate monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement regarding local programs. It reaffirms the importance of general supervision and the expectation that monitoring the implementation of IDEA will improve early intervention, educational results, and functional outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. It replaces these OSEP resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Identification and Correction of Noncompliance and Reporting on Correction in the State Performance Plan (SPP)/Annual Performance Report (APR) (September 3, 2008);
- OSEP Memo 09-02: Reporting on Correction of Noncompliance in the Annual Performance Report Under Sections 616 and 642 of IDEA (October 17, 2008); and
- Questions and Answers on Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement (June 2009).
