The Head Start Program Performance Standards (the Performance Standards) require that at least 10% of a program’s actual enrollment be filled by children who are eligible for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services.

This tip sheet provides information for program leaders about calculating the 10% actual enrollment requirement.

How do I calculate our program’s percentage?

A program’s 10% actual enrollment is calculated based on the cumulative number of IDEA-eligible children — total number of children with disabilities served over the program year — divided by the actual number of children currently enrolled during the calculation month.

Programs can use the number reported on their most recent end-of-month enrollment report in the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES). Most programs do this shortly before the mid-year — for many, this may be January — and then calculate monthly after that.

ABC Head Start Program Example

ABC Head Start is almost halfway through its program year and the leadership team wants to confirm they are meeting the 10% actual enrollment requirement for children with disabilities.

The disabilities services coordinator (DSC) gathers the following information about ABC Head Start's enrollment:

• ABC Head Start’s actual enrollment as reported on the program’s monthly enrollment report in HSES for January is 120 children.
• The number of children enrolled at ABC Head Start since Sept. 1 (first day of the program year) who have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) is 12 children.
• The total number of children currently enrolled at ABC Head Start who received an evaluation, were determined to be eligible, but are not currently receiving services is five children.
• The total number of children who received an evaluation, were determined to be eligible, but are no longer enrolled at ABC Head Start is two children.
• The total number of children who were evaluated, were not found eligible under IDEA, and are receiving private speech therapy services is one child.

How ABC Head Start calculates the enrollment percentage of children with disabilities:

1. Based on the enrollment data collected by the DSC, the team determines the total number of IDEA-eligible children served at ABC Head Start during the program year. They review the data and identify:
   
   12 children who have an IFSP or IEP.
   +
   5 children who are not receiving services but were evaluated and found eligible under IDEA.
   +
   2 children who received an evaluation, were determined to be eligible, but are no longer enrolled at ABC Head Start.

Using this enrollment data, ABC determines the total number of children with disabilities enrolled at ABC Head Start during this program year is 19 children.

Note that the one child receiving private speech therapy is not counted because they are not eligible for services under IDEA.

2. ABC uses their most recent end-of-month enrollment report in HSES to determine its actual enrollment figure. ABC Head Start reported 120 children enrolled for the month of January.

From the monthly enrollment report, ABC determines that their actual enrollment is 120 children.

3. ABC Head Start then calculates the percentage of children with disabilities: 

4. ABC’s DSC works with the team to set up a calculator to track their percentage of enrollment on an ongoing basis.

10% Calculator

Resources to Support Recruitment and Enrollment of Children with Disabilities

The DSC also locates resources to support recruitment and enrollment, such as:

• Recruiting and Enrolling Children
• Encouraging IDEA Collaboration Between State Agencies, Local Agencies, and Head Start Programs
• Eligibility: Determining Need and Meeting Expectations
• FAQs About Disabilities

Last Updated: November 18, 2024