1. The whys, whens, and whats…
Evaluations
The whys, whens, and whats…

2. When to Conduct an Evaluation?
To see if a child is eligible for special education services. (See our presentation on eligibility to learn more about this process)
During the triennial reevaluation.
When things change.
When things aren’t working.

3. Evaluations, What do They do?
Provides information on academic and functional performance
Types of evaluations may include:
Social Cultural/Emotional
General Intelligence/IQ
Academic Performance/Educational
Speech/Communication
Occupational/Physical Therapy
Teacher/Parent Observation
Hearing/Vision/Medical
Functional Behavioral Assessments

4. Evaluators
Must be trained and knowledgeable personnel, who meet the requirements of the assessment tool
Must conduct a valid evaluation that…
Assesses child’s educational strengths and areas of suspected need
Is in accordance with the standards set by the manufacturer
Is non-discriminatory, no cultural bias
Actually measures skills or abilities tested

5. Conducting a Valid Evaluation
Evaluation tools must be
Reliable
Valid
Factors that can influence reliability and validity
Of concern when an evaluation substantially differs from expectations
Interpretation of data

6. The Evaluation Process and Timelines
The school must get informed parental consent before conducting an evaluation.
For initial eligibility, evaluations must be completed and an eligibility meeting must be held within 65 business days from the decision to evaluate.
For triennial eligibility reviews, evaluations must be completed with sufficient time for the reevaluation process to be completed prior to the third anniversary of the last eligibility determination date.
In all other instances evaluations must be completed in 65 business days from the date of the decision to evaluate.

7. Exceptions to Evaluation Timelines
For initial eligibility evaluations:
If the parent repeatedly fails or refuses to make the child available for evaluation.
If the child enrolls in a new school division after the business days has begun, but before eligibility was determined by the previous school.
Parent and school can agree in writing to extend the timeline to get additional data, if data cannot be obtained within 65 business days.

8. Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
When a parent disagrees with a school’s evaluation
Can be requested orally or in writing
A Right, not a Request
One independent evaluation at public expense per evaluation.
School can
Initiate Due Process to block the independent evaluation
Parents can still obtain an IEE at their own expense, even if school wins due process
Comply
IEP teams must consider any outside or independent evaluations

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