The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce announced on Oct. 15, 2026, that it had issued 2026 Special Education Ratings covering every district and community school in the state. Federal IDEA requirements call for these annual evaluations of special education program performance.
According to the department, the ratings rest on final data reported through EMIS and completion of the prior Special Education Profile monitoring cycle. An agency receives one of four labels: Meets Requirements, Needs Assistance, Needs Intervention, or Needs Substantial Intervention.
District and school staff can retrieve their results through the OHID Portal. Access requires an OHID account and one of several OEDS roles assigned by the agency's OEDS administrator, such as specific special education director, coordinator, or supervisor roles. Staff without those roles were directed to their OEDS administrator.
Appeals must be filed with an appeal form and supporting documentation by Oct. 30, 2026. Instructions and the form are available in the online report. The department scheduled an Oct. 21 webinar through its Accountability Training Series; registration is required. The session will cover what the ratings measure, how they are calculated, statewide results, rating distribution, and common point gains or losses. State Support Teams can help districts interpret and improve ratings. Questions go to SPED.Data@education.ohio.gov; OHID technical support is available at 877-644-6338 or Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov.