Special Education Evaluations

What is an Evaluation?
A special education evaluation is the process for determining whether a child has a disability and needs special education.  The comprehensive evaluation may look at cognitive, behavioral, physical, and developmental factors as well as other areas.  All this information is used to determine the child’s educational needs.  The evaluation process establishes a foundation for developing an appropriate educational program.
 
The meeting:
You have been invited to attend a meeting to discuss the evaluation process.  At this meeting there will be a group of educators whom you will meet.  This group may consist of a school psychologist, due process facilitator, special education teacher, speech/language pathologist, principal, school social worker, and the classroom teacher.  At this meeting you will be asked about your concerns, the teacher will be asked about their concerns, and then the team, including you, will plan the evaluation.

Planning the Evaluation:
As the team plans the evaluation, consideration is given to whether testing or other information is needed in each of the following areas:
· Intellectual Functioning
· Communication
· Health/Physical Status
· Motor Skills
· Academic Performance
· Vision/Hearing
· Emotional/Social/Behavior
· Functional Skills
After the evaluation is planned, a copy of the plan will be mailed to you for your consent.  Once the school receives your consent to proceed, the school district has thirty school days in which to complete the evaluation
 
Completion of Evaluation:
After the evaluation is completed, you will receive a meeting notice asking you to meet with the team, including parent, to review the evaluation results.  At this time, the team may either determine eligibility for special education services or determine that your child does not meet eligibility criteria.  If you child qualifies for services, the team will write an Individual Education Plan (IEP), either at the same meeting or another meeting to be scheduled.