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Breadcrumb

Evaluation

An evaluation is the detailed gathering of information about a person's performance 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 student.

Prior to an evaluation, the school district must provide information about vision and hearing acuity. A screening conducted in your student's school will eliminate problems of acuity as a factor for concerns noted by your school.

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 student to be more successful in general education
  • Make recommendations for the student's educational program
  • Determine if the student can continue to receive special education services


The assessments performed by professionals are called formal assessments. The individuals who perform them (school psychological examiner, school psychologist, speech/language pathologist, etc.) have a license or are certified to give these tests.

Informal assessments, such as checklists, can be completed by those who have knowledge of the child’s performance and behavior, but should be interpreted by a professional examiner or school psychologist. These can be completed at home or within the school setting. There are many informal assessments that examine areas ranging from interpersonal behaviors to specific skills.

Parents and/or caregivers are vital in the process of gathering information for both formal and informal assessments. No one spends more time with a child and knows him better than the parent or caregiver. Interviews with parents are essential tools that school psychologists and other examiners use to gather information.

Re-evaluation

  • A re-evaluation is required every three years to determine if your child continues to require special education services. 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 eligibility for special education.
  • Formal testing is not required if there is enough information to confirm eligibility of your child for services and 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 re-evaluation 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 a conference to discuss the assessment results.
    • A re-evaluation is required every three years to determine if your child continues to require special education services. 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 eligibility for special education.
    • Formal testing is not required if there is enough information to confirm eligibility of your child for services and 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 re-evaluation 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 a conference to discuss the assessment results.

Evaluation Process

Evaluation FAQ