-
Referral submitted in writing
The first step in special education evaluation is a referral, submitted in writing. Someone (a teacher, staff member, parent, etc) notices that a student is developing, behaving, or learning differently than other students. They can submit a request for an evaluation to the school. This has to be put in writing. Example: Maria, a first-grade student, does not seem to be progressing as quickly as the other students in her class. Her teacher submits a request for an evaluation. -
Documentation Begins
From the time that a referral is submitted, schools have to document everything regarding a student's referral and evaluation. The school will keep track of a child's work samples, behavior, peformance before the referral, and evidence that they do or do not have a disability. Example: Maria's teachers start saving her work samples and recording observations of her in class. -
Parental Consent
Within 15 school days of receiving a request for evaluation, the school must ask parents to provide written consent for their child to be evaluated. Example: 10 school days after the request was received, Maria's parents were asked to give consent for her to be tested. -
Academic Achievement Evaluation Period Begins
As soon as parental consent is received, schools can start evaluating a student to determine if they have a disability. The school has 45 school days to perform this evaluation. (In New Hampshire, that deadline is extended to 60 school days.) Example: Starting on October 5, the next school day, and for the next 45 (60) school days, Maria is eligible to be evaluated. -
Evaluation Takes Place
An evaluation will take place within 45 (60 in New Hampshire) school days. Example: Today, Maria was evaluated to determine if she has a disability. -
Meeting to review test results
After a student has been tested, the school has 30 calendar days (not school days) to hold a meeting to determine if a student is eligible for services, and if so, the team will develop an IEP for that student. For example: Today, Maria's team met to discuss her results and determined that Maria has a learning disability that is covered under IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. So, the team began working on her Individual Education Plan. -
References
Pierangelo, R., & Giuliani, G. (2002). Assessment in special education: A practical approach. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. New Hampshire Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities. (2008, June 30). Retrieved June 24, 2015.
