What is the Assessment/Evaluation?

Before your child receives special education services, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that he or she have an evaluation. An Evaluation includes information from parents, any special medical concerns, interviews with parents and school staff and special tests. The results of an evaluation will be used to determine if your child has a disability and needs special education and related services help in school. You must give your consent in writing before the first evaluation can take place.

The Evaluation:
Must be done by trained and knowledgeable persons. Must be in all areas related to the suspected disability. It is more than just one test or assessment procedure. It must be in your child's native language and not discriminate against your child.

Some questions parents can ask the school staff about the evaluation:
Why do you want to evaluate my child? What do you think you may find from the evaluation? What kind of test will you give? In what areas will my child be tested? What will happen if my child is not evaluated? Will he or she still get some help for the problems you identify? By what date will you give me a written copy of the evaluation results? What steps should I take if I do not agree with the evaluation results?

This page based on a handout prepared Pacer Center, Inc. Minneapolis, MN. 55417

How do I get one?

Parents, school personnel, students or others may make a request for evaluation. If you request an evaluation to determine whether your child has a disability and needs special education, the school district must complete a full and individual evaluation. If it refuses to conduct the evaluation, it must give you appropriate notice, and let you know your rights. You must give permission in writing for an initial (first-time) evaluation, and for any tests that is completed as part of a re-evaluation.

A team of qualified professionals and you will review the results of the evaluation, and determine if your child is eligible for special education services.

If your child is not eligible, you will be appropriately notified and the process stops. However, you have a right to disagree with the results of the evaluation or the eligibility decision.

Why is it important?

The results of the assessment will determine if your child meets eligibility for special education services. It will also identify any weaknesses and strengths in a variety of different educational and social areas.

The assessment will help the ARD committee draft short and long-term goals. It also will help the ARD committee evaluate what services would be needed to meet these goals.

The assessment will also create a base line (starting point) to measure progress or lack of progress towards these goals.

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Published on: 2003-05-26 (2055 reads)