Fluctuations in previous year data are expected for several years while the data collection methodology is refined. There is a one-year lag in data. Projects are evaluated by an expert panel after a full year of funding.

All successful applications under IDEA programs include high quality methods and materials, as judged by panels during the review process. This indicator applies a more rigorous standard to assess projects that have exceptionally high standards. It takes at least three years to achieve stability in review and assessment process. For Research, Demonstration and Outreach Activities, which have had four years of measurement, the data indicate continuing positive progress. This results from increased emphasis in the application requirements on project evaluation, and increased size of the grant funding to support improved methods and materials. It is too soon to assess progress for six of these programs.

There is a one-year lag in data. Projects are evaluated by an expert panel after a full year of funding. Projects are expected to be of high quality and communicate findings through appropriate referred journals and other vehicles such as the Internet, association publications, CD-ROMs, films, teaching modules, state and national directories, career plan, radio interviews, course syllabi, and Federally-funded technical assistance providers, and to include a citation of funding support under IDEA.

There is a one-year lag in data. Projects are evaluated by an expert panel after a full year of funding. Fluctuations in data are expected for several years while the data collection methodology is refined. To improve the quality of the evaluations the size of the review panel representing the variety of stakeholders in special education was increased from 5 persons in 2000 to 80 in 2001. This improvement has resulted in a much more robust and accurate measure of this indicator.