Evaluations The whys whens and whats When to

Evaluations The whys, whens, and whats…

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.

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

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

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

The Evaluation Process and Timelines • The school must get informed parental consent before conducting an evaluation. • For initial eligibility, evaluations must be completed 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.

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

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

Contact Us • Monday, Wednesday, Friday • 8: 30 am – 4: 00 pm • Toll Free- 800 -552 -3962 • info@dlcv. org • www. dlcv. org