60D Comments Response

Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation Protocol

Summary of Public Comments Following 60 Day Review Period

On June 10, 2025, the Department of Education (Department) published a Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request (Notice) in the Federal Register inviting comments by August 11, 2025, on the proposed Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation Protocol. Two respondents submitted comments but only one set of comments was relevant to the information collection. A summary of those comments and our responses are below.

COMMENT: “However, I respectfully note a significant limitation of the current data collection scope: it is restricted to federally funded TPSID grantees. While this focus ensures consistency and oversight, it also excludes a growing number of institutions that are implementing inclusive postsecondary programs without TPSID funding. As the field continues to expand beyond the boundaries of federal grants, the exclusion of these programs from national data collection efforts limits our understanding of the broader landscape and may underrepresent the full impact of inclusive postsecondary education models. I encourage the Department to explore mechanisms for incorporating data from non-TPSID programs, whether through voluntary reporting or future funding initiatives. Expanding the data collection framework would provide a more comprehensive picture of the field and support the development of inclusive practices across a wider range of institutions.”

RESPONSE: No change made.

Since FY 2010, the Department has awarded grants under the TPSID-Coordinating Center (TPSID-CC) program to establish a technical assistance center to translate and disseminate research and best practices for all institutions of higher education (IHEs), including those not participating in the TPSID program, for improving inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities (SWIDs).

The purpose of this program is to establish a coordinating center for institutions of higher education that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities, including institutions that have grants authorized under the TPSID program (Assistance Listing Number 84.407A), as well as those not participating in the TPSID program. 

This center will help ensure that knowledge and products gained through research will reach more IHEs and students and improve postsecondary educational opportunities for SWIDs.

Moreover, the purpose of the TPSID-CC program is to support a national coordinating center charged with conducting and disseminating research on strategies to promote positive academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities.

The applicant funded to operate TPSID-CC will:

*Establish a comprehensive research and evaluation protocol for TPSID programs;

*Administer a mentoring program matching current and new TPSID grantees based on areas of expertise;

*Coordinate longitudinal follow up data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic components and evidence-based practices;

*Provide technical assistance to build the capacity of kindergarten through grade 12 transition services and support postsecondary education inclusive practices, among other activities.

The Coordinating Center activities are based on a framework that includes:

(1) knowledge development and evaluation;

(2) technical assistance and dissemination;

(3) leadership and coordination.

They will work closely with the federal project officer to develop additional performance measures, performance targets, and data collection methodologies that are aligned with this work.

Data must be collected by the TPSID-CC on accreditation standards and communications with recognized accrediting agencies; descriptions and analyses of funding streams, and the impact of the TPSID-CC’s technical assistance activities related to outreach and dissemination.

These additional performance measures will capture formative data about the quality, usefulness, relevance, and efficiency of the TPSID-CC’s technical assistance and evaluation services.

Serving as a leader in coordinating communication strategies about comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs, the Coordinating Center will continue to build the knowledge base around evidence-based components of comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs.

The Coordinating Center will evaluate the design of the current TPSID program protocols, as well as analyze, collect, retain, and report data about TPSID program components and outcomes.

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