The "Program Compliance" section defines a student’s special education status for documentation, reporting, and PEIMS submission. Each Program Compliance status determines whether forms can be added, edited, or locked, and some statuses automatically update based on locked forms or summer rollover. Understanding when a status change is automatic versus when a manual status change is required helps prevent reporting errors and unintended PEIMS incidents.
The PEIMS 163 import typically populates initial compliance data at the beginning of the school year. Students included in the import are assigned an Active status by default.
Note: Statuses that allow forms to be added: "Active," "Initial," "Private/Home," "Transfer," and "Referral."
Program Compliance Status
Description and System Behavior
Transfer
Student transfers into the district and already qualifies for special education services.
Status remains "Transfer" throughout the school year.
Exception: If the student is an out-of-state transfer undergoing evaluation, the status automatically changes to "Initial" or "Dismissal," depending on evaluation results.
During summer rollover, "Transfer" automatically changes to "Active."
Referral
Student has been referred for evaluation but has not yet had an IEP meeting.
When an IEP meeting is locked with eligibility determined, status automatically changes to "Initial."
If eligibility is not established, status automatically changes to "DNQ (Did Not Qualify)."
Initial
Student has been found eligible and the initial IEP has been completed and locked.
Status remains Initial for the remainder of the school year.
During summer rollover, "Initial" automatically changes to "Active."
DNQ
Status automatically changes to "DNQ" when the initial IEP meeting is locked without an eligibility condition.
"DNQ" remains the student’s status after rollover unless manually changed.
Active
Student is currently receiving special education services.
Students receiving services in the prior year and continuing services remain "Active."
New district implementations typically assign "Active" status during the initial bulk import.
Parent Declined Eval
Student was referred, but the parent declined consent for evaluation.
Occurs when the parent selects “No” for permission to test on the “Consent for Evaluation” form.
Status automatically changes when the consent form is locked.
District Declined to Evaluate
District documents that it declined to evaluate the student (Indicator 11).
Manual entry triggers an automatic change to this status.
Parent Refusal
Student was found eligible, but the parent refused special education services.
The IEP must be completed and locked first (status temporarily changes to "Initial").
After locking the “Decline Special Education Services” form, status automatically changes to "Parent Refusal."
Private/Home
Student receives services through a service plan while enrolled in private school or homeschool.
Completion of a service plan automatically triggers this status.
May be manually assigned after completing and locking an ARD that establishes eligibility.
Dismissal
Status automatically changes when an IEP meeting is locked without an eligibility condition for an "Active" student.
Applies to evaluated transfer students found no longer eligible.
Parent Revocation
Student was receiving services and the parent revokes consent in writing.
Locking the “Parent Revocation of Special Education Services” form automatically updates the status.
Drop Out
Student stops attending school and no longer receives services.
Manual status change required.
A Services Start Date must be entered.
Graduated
Manual status change required if the student graduates outside of typical grade-level timing.
A Services Start Date must be entered when changed manually.
12th-grade students automatically change to "Graduated" during summer rollover.
Withdrawn
Student does not attend after enrollment (for example, no show on first day).
Manual status change required.
Enter the first day of school as the Services Start Date.
Moved
Student received services during the school year but moved out midyear.
Manual status change required.
Enter the district exit date (from SIS) as the Services Start Date.
Not Active
Student is not actively receiving services but remains in the system.
Example: Consent pending for an extended period
Manual status change required.
Enter a Services Start Date reflecting when the status changed.
Not Enrolled
Student is tracked for reporting but is not enrolled in the district.
Example: Private school or homeschool student without a service plan.
Manual status change required.
Enter a Services Start Date matching the SIS withdrawal date.
Other
Used for scenarios not covered by other statuses.
Example: Student is deceased.
Manual status change required.
Enter the Services Start Date reflecting when services ended.
Pro Tip: Changes to a Program Compliance status can trigger PEIMS incidents. Always verify dates and documentation before updating a student’s status.
If you need to edit or correct student forms after a student has been moved to a nonactive status, you may temporarily change the status to "Not Enrolled." This allows form edits without triggering a PEIMS incident.
After completing corrections, change the student’s Program Compliance status back to the appropriate status. Leave the original "Services Start Date" unchanged when restoring the status.