Harrisburg Project-I-Star Support

Dec 1, 2019 Child Count Certification Period Open

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B federal regulations (see 34 CFR sections 300.640 and 300.641), require that States must count and report an unduplicated number of children with disabilities receiving special education and related services on an annual basis. In Illinois, the special education child count occurs on December 1 each year. This year, final December 1, 2019 child count data had to be entered in I-Star by February 26, 2020.

In addition, 34 CFR section 300.645 requires the State to obtain a certification from each local education agency that an unduplicated and accurate count of the number of students with disabilities receiving special education services has been made.

The December 1, 2019 child count certification must be performed in I-Star by the district superintendent or an authorized district representative with District Administrator access in IWAS.

Please note that the Director of the Special Education Cooperative cannot perform the child count certification on behalf of a member district.

The district child count certification is now open and is due on or before March 26, 2020. If district administrator certification is not complete by March 26, distribution of IDEA Part B grant funds will be suspended until the certification is complete.

To verify, please access the I-Star system via IWAS. The application can be found under System Listing -> Reporting -> Special Education.

Harrisburg Project staff has provided webinars with printed instructions (http://www.hbug.k12.il.us/resources/Training/19-20_Child_Count_Certification_Instructions_for_Supt.pdf) to assist in the certification process. The webinars were recorded and posted to their website as well for convenient access and sharing. To listen/view the webinar, use the following link. To register for a training on March 12, 18 or March 24, click here.

Questions regarding I-Star operation and access should be directed to Harrisburg Project at (800) 635-5274 or support@hbug.k12.il.us.

Tim Imler

Director

Funding and Disbursements

Illinois State Board of Education

Phone: 217-782-5256

Fax: 217-782-3910