Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities (CFDA 84.325)

Staff standing together discussing something

Purpose

The OSEP Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program (PDP) supports personnel preparation and professional development of qualified personnel to work with infants or toddlers with disabilities, or serve and support children with disabilities under Part D, Sec 1462 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The purpose of the PDP is to: 

  • help address State-identified needs for qualified personnel —in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education— to work with infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities; and 
  • ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically-based research and experience, to be successful in serving those children. 

Current Investments   

OSEP’s current PDP investments (CFDA 84.325) include:

  • Personnel and Leadership Preparation Grant Programs 
    325D:
    Preparation of Leadership Personnel
    325H:
    Doctoral Training Consortia Associated with High-Intensity Needs 
    325K:
    Interdisciplinary Approaches to Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who Have High-Intensity Needs 
  • Leadership Professional Development Grant Programs 
    325L:
    Leadership Development Programs: Increasing the Capacity of Leaders to Improve the Systems Serving Children with Disabilities 
  • Improving Personnel Systems and Programs Serving Children with Disabilities Grant Programs 
    325N:
    Associate Degree Preservice Program Improvement Grants to Support Personnel Working with Young Children with Disabilities 
    325P:
    Improving Retention of Special Education and Early Intervention Personnel  

Personnel Development National Centers 

CEEDAR Center logo

CEEDAR  Center - CEEDAR stands for “Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform.” Our mission is to support students with disabilities in achieving college- and career-ready standards by building the capacity of state personnel preparation systems to prepare teachers and leaders to implement evidence-based practices within multi-tiered systems of support.

Early Childhood Personnel Center logo

ECPC - Early Childhood Personnel Center provided technical assistance and resources to assist state administrators, higher education faculty, practitioners, and families to develop and implement components of a comprehensive system of personnel development (CSPD) to improve the quantity, quality, and effectiveness of the early childhood intervention workforce for infants and young children with disabilities and their families.

IRIS Center logo

IRIS Center – IRIS develops and disseminates inactive online resources about evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students, particularly struggling learners, and those with disabilities. Designed to bridge the research-to-practice gap, IRIS resources are intended for use in higher education courses, in professional development programs, and by practicing professionals in general and special education teachers, educational administration and related services providers.  IRIS resources are designed for adult learners and include modules, case studies and teaching and learning activities, information briefs, and more – all resources designed to enhance teaching and learning for those serving children with disabilities and are available at no cost to users. 

 

Access the Find a Center or Grant section of this website for more information about OSEP-funded centers and grants, including the Personnel Development Program investments mentioned above.

Performance Measurement Information and Resources

The Department of Education has established a set of performance measures that are designed to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and quality of the program. Learn More

Additional Resources for Grantees

The Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs is pleased to provide additional resources to support your work with individuals with disabilities. Learn More

Engage OSEP logo

Engage OSEP Site Information

The following resources are presented by the Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support grantees in collaborating with one another. Learn More

Performance Measurement Information and Resources

Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the Department of Education has established a set of performance measures that are designed to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and quality of the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program. The Program Performance Measures for PDP are:  

  • Program Performance Measure #1:  The percentage of preparation programs that incorporate scientifically- or evidence-based practices into their curricula;
     
  • Program Performance Measure #2: The percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are knowledgeable and skilled in evidence-based practices for children with disabilities;
     
  • Program Performance Measure #3:  The percentage of scholars who exit preparation programs prior to completion due to poor academic performance;
     
  • Program Performance Measure #4:  The percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are working in the area(s) in which they were prepared upon program completion; 
     
  • Program Performance Measure #5:  The Federal cost per fully qualified scholar who completed the preparation program; 
     
  • Program Performance Measure #6:  The percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and are employed in high-need districts [NOTE: Reporting excludes 325D scholars working as IHE faculty]; and 
     
  • Program Performance Measure #7:  The percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and who are rated effective by their employers.

OSEP is piloting one new PROGRAM performance measure using outcome data reported by scholars who have completed their preparation program. 

  • Pilot Program Performance Measure #1:  The percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and are employed in the field of special education for at least two years. 

In FY 2021, OSEP also began gathering information on the following outcomes:

  • The number and percentage of scholars proposed by the grantee in their application that were actually enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress in the current academic year; and
     
  • The number and percentage of enrolled scholars who are on track to complete the training program by the end of the project’s original grant period. Grantees may be asked to participate in assessing and providing information on these aspects of program quality.

Performance Measurement Resources

2022 Annual Performance Reports (APR) Package for the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program (CFDA 84.325)

Recipients of multi-year discretionary grants must submit an annual performance report (APR) demonstrating substantial progress for meeting project objectives that will be used to determine continuation funding.  The 2022 Annual Performance Report (APR) Package for the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities (CFDA 84.325) includes the Dear Colleague Letter with instructions and forms.

Blank Forms for Annual Performance Reporting

While the Department receives actual data electronically through systems (e.g., G5, grants.gov, PDPDCS), these blank forms are helpful in drafting reports in preparation for submission of information into G5. 

The forms used for annual performance reports are available at Grant Application and Other Forms – Department of Education, including the ED 524-B: Part 1 -Cover Sheet and Executive Summary; ED 524-B: Part 2-Project Status; and ED 524-B:Part 3-Instructions. Also available is the ED 524 Example for Training Grants: Additional Indirect Cost Information and the ED 524 Form and Instructions for reporting budget information for non-construction programs.

APR Resources:

General Resources for All 325 Projects

  • 325 APR Cover Sheet Example with Tips
    This document provides an example of how to complete the Cover Sheet and Executive Summary portions of annual performance reports for all 325 grantees. Tips for each section are included.
     
  • 325 APR Status Sheet Example with Tips on Reporting Performance Objectives and Performance Measure Data
    This document provides an example of how to complete the Status Sheet portion of the annual performance report for 325 grantees. Tips for completing Sections A - Performance Objectives Information and Related Performance Measures Data, Section B – Budget Information, and Section C – Other Information are included. 
     
  • Webinar: Completing the ED Grant Performance Reports for 325 Grantees: 
    As titled, this webinar focuses on completing the ED Grant Performance Reports for those with 325 grants including helpful information on how to meet the Personnel Development Program (PDP) annual reporting requirements. Specifically, the webinar provides information on completing the Annual Performance Report (APR) as required for all 325 projects. In addition, the information on the Annual Data Scholar Submission in PDPDCS is covered for those with 325D, 325H, or 325K projects. (20 minutes)

325D Resources

325K Resources

325L Resources

  • 325L Sample PROJECT Performance Measures Aligned with PROGRAM Performance Measures
    This document provides examples of PROJECT performance measures that align with approved PROGRAM performance measures for 325L grant projects. (Coming soon)

No Cost Extension Requests 

A no-cost extension may be requested to provide more time (up to 12 months) for completing approved grant activities. Please complete the NCE Request Form, submit your request using G5,  and email your project officer at least 10 days before the end of the grant award period.

Final Performance Reports 

Final performance reports must be submitted no later than 90 days after the grant award period. You must submit your final performance report using G5.  For specific guidance on how to complete the final performance report, please review the instructions and forms required for “Final Reports” in the 20221 Annual Performance Reports (APR) Package for the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program (CFDA 84.325)     

All standard forms needed for reporting are available at ed.gov site at Grant Application and Other Forms. For additional information, please contact your project officer. 

PDPDCS - PDP Data Collection System for Reporting Scholar Data

The Personnel Development Program Data Collection System (PDPDCS) is a secure, online database used to collect and analyze data on scholars funded by PDP grants for use in reporting program performance measures required by the Government Performance and Results Act (1993) and to track the service obligations of scholars funded by Personnel Development Program grants awarded in Federal fiscal year 2005 and any year thereafter. 

For more information on your role in the scholar tracking process click on the Grantees, Scholars, or Employers link. To update service obligation information, please click on the PDPDCS Login link. 

The PDPDCS Help Desk is available from 8-8 ET Monday through Friday. More information is available at:   https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/. 

 

Accessibility Guidelines and Resources for 508 Compliance 
Access these resources and guidance on meeting the Federal Government's standards for accessibility for websites, media, or literature.

Logic Models and Performance Measures

The Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) created these two voice-over PowerPoints for OSEP on Constructing Logic Models and Performance Measures, including Part 1: How to Create and Use Logic Models (12 minutes), and Part 2: How to Create High Quality Objectives and Performance Measures (28 minutes).

Evaluation
Access multiple resources from the Center for Improving Program and Project Performance, that provides technical assistance on design and implementation of evaluation plans and logic models, and performance measures to OSEP-funded grantees and staff. Resources include guidance documents, tools, and webinars that will provide useful information and helpful examples.

Evaluating Special Education Preservice Programs: Resource Toolkit
This Toolkit was designed to provide evaluation resources for grantees of OSEP's Personnel Development Program, but it contains useful information for other grantees as well. The Toolkit is not intended to provide a lengthy discussion of every aspect of project evaluation.

Resources for Potential Applicants

This page provides information to assist applicants with information for completing applications for OSEP funding opportunities. Recorded webinars with competition specific information are available here.

Engage

PDP Network 

The Personnel Development Program (PDP) supports an exchange ideas, information, and resources among our stakeholders –grantees, OSEP scholars, staff, and others– to advance our collective knowledge of practices that enhance the preparation and professional development of personnel serving children with disabilities and their families. OSEP supports a coherent program of investments spanning the career continuum and reaching special education teachers, early intervention service providers, related services personnel, educational administrators, and general education teachers who serve children with disabilities and their families. By connecting OSEP-investments, we have created a network -the PDP Network- that is able to support collaboration with and across projects as a means to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of PDP projects and the Program as a whole. broadening participation across projects and strengthen those investments. 

Faculty and OSEP-funded scholars will have opportunities to collaborate with state and local education agency leader through networks organized by grant programs, In addition, working groups aimed at advancing preparation, induction and mentoring, ongoing professional development and leadership development for personnel based on focus area or areas of interest have the opportunities to advance work collectively. Through broad participation, PDP hopes to –

  • Share resources and information on best practices across projects; 
  • Learn innovative approaches being used by projects to support preparation and ongoing professional development for personnel serving and supporting children with disabilities; 
  • Address emerging needs within real-world contexts; and
  • Engage projects in addressing priority areas identified by grantees, OSEP, and the Department. 

Resources & Tools

Engage OSEP is a virtual engagement space that offers a platform for information exchange and community involvement on issues related to enhancing and improving preparation or professional development of special education, related services, early intervention, and general education personnel serving children with disabilities. 

Search our resource database, follow OSERS Blog, or use our find a center or grant tool. If you don't find what you are looking for, or if you have a question or idea you would like to share, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Stay Informed

  • Subscribe to the OSEP Update, a monthly newsletter with the latest information on upcoming events, news, and resources from the Office of Special Education Programs.
  • Follow OSERS on Social Media