SSD Parent Handbook (Section 2) – Evaluation

How is a student referred to SSD and how do they qualify for special education services?

Identify Educational Concerns: Educational concerns relevant to a child may be identified in the classroom or from parents.

Request for Evaluation and Referral: Parents or school district staff can request the student be tested if a disability is suspected. Though requests can be made verbally, it is recommended that requests be in writing and sent to the school guidance counselor, principal and SSD area coordinator.

Concerns and relevant information and data are reviewed by the Building Level Team/Care team which consists of school counselor, principal, teacher etc. to determine if the student should be referred for evaluation.

Note: As SSD provides special education and related services to all districts within St. Louis County, SSD staff will be part of the Building Level team and will conduct theevaluation and testing.

It must be determined if a disability is suspected within 30 days of receiving the request for referral.

Review of Existing Data (RED): If it is determined that an evaluation is warranted, an evaluation plan is developed through a review of existing data to identify what additional information is required in order to determine:

Whether the child is eligible for services through identification as a child with an educational diagnosis based on state criteria

The child’s “Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance” based on how the child is currently performing in school

Whether that disability interferes with the child’s educational performance

Whether the child needs special education & related services

Whether, in the case of a reevaluation, any adaptations or modifications are needed to enable the child to meet IEP annual goals and participate, as appropriate, in the general education curriculum

RED meeting attendees include parents/guardians, school staff and SSD staff members.

Evaluation: An evaluation is the detailed gathering of relevant information about a person's performance, behavior and/or suspected disabilities.

An educational evaluation is completed utilizing assessment tools in order to identify a student who is in need of special education services and to determine the strengths and needs of the child.

If it is determined that your child should be evaluated, a Notice of Action/intent to Evaluate will be provided to the parent/guardian. Written parental consent must be obtained prior to any assessments.

The results of the testing, along with information from the student’s teacher(s) and parents, will be used to determine if the child is eligible for special education and related services according to State of Missouri criteria.

The Eligibility Determination Conference must be held within 60 days from the date signed parental consent is received.

If eligible, the evaluation results will be used to determine the best educational services for the student.

Assessment: An assessment is needed in order to:

Identify the need for special education

Determine eligibility for special education according to state criteria

Evaluate a student's performance level

Identify interventions to help the child to be more successful in general education

Make recommendations for the student's educational program, or

Determine if the student can continue to receive special education services

Eligibility Determination: At the eligibility conference, the results of the assessments will be shared with the team and it will be determined if your student meets eligibility criteria and requires special education and related services.

If it is determined that your child does not meet eligibility criteria for special education, the local school will be responsible for meeting your child’s educational needs.

If your student meets eligibility criteria, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed.

The IEP will be developed within 30 days of eligibility determination.

Initial Evaluation Process Flowchart

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What if my child is found “not eligible” for special education services?

If your child is found to be “not eligible” for special education, it does not mean your child may not have school problems. A request for evaluation would not have taken place if your child’s local school personnel had not perceived significant education problems. If your child is ineligible for services, the evaluation team will explain criteria for eligibility and why your child is not eligible.

The responsibility for meeting your child’s educational needs will be addressed by the local school. Remedial reading, tutoring and counseling may be some of the many resources you and the school could consider if special education criteria not met. In addition, a parent has due process rights, including requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) and may disagree with the eligibility determination.

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): If a parent or guardian disagrees with any or all of an SSD evaluation they may request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense. The district does have the option of requesting a due process hearing to “defend” its diagnostic decision instead of granting the IEE.

Click here for a description of due process procedures, including the steps and what must be included when filing due process.
What is a re-evaluation?

A re-evaluation is required every three years to determine if your child continues to require special education services. The re-evaluation may be waived if you, the local district and SSD agree that a re-evaluation is not necessary.

This re-evaluation may be completed with or without additional testing. The IEP team, of which you are a part, must review existing data to identify if any additional testing is needed to confirm that the student continues to be a child with a disability and eligible for special education.

Formal testing is not required if there is enough information to confirm that the student continues to be a child with a disability and therefore still eligible for services to meet his or her educational needs.

If additional testing is necessary, based on the review of existing data, your consent must be obtained. No testing at the re-evaluation is required to terminate your child's services; however, the district must honor your request for formal assessment if all services are terminated.

If you request testing at a reevaluation and the district is not terminating all services for your child, the IEP team can refuse your request for additional testing. The team must honor your request for assessment only when all services are ending for your child. The team will issue a notice of action informing you of this decision. You may then exercise your due process rights. If testing is completed, you will be invited to an eligibility conference to discuss the assessment results and determine your child’s continued eligibility.

Re-evaluation Process Flowchart

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Additional resources related to evaluation are available in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Parent's Guide to Special Education in Missouri.

Special School District of St. Louis County

Family & Community Engagement (FACE)

Page Navigation

SSD Parent Handbook (Section 2) – Evaluation

How is a student referred to SSD and how do they qualify for special education services?

Initial Evaluation Process Flowchart

What if my child is found “not eligible” for special education services?

What is a re-evaluation?

Re-evaluation Process Flowchart

SSD Parent Handbook (Section 2) – Evaluation

How is a student referred to SSD and how do they qualify for special education services?

Initial Evaluation Process Flowchart

​What if my child is found “not eligible” for special education services?

What is a re-evaluation?

Re-evaluation Process Flowchart

What if my child is found “not eligible” for special education services?