Evaluations

What is an evaluation?
When is an evaluation needed?
What does the evaluation consist of?
Who conducts the assessment(s)?
What assessments will be performed?
What is in the written report?

*What is an evaluation?*
An evaluation is the process used to determine whether or not a student is eligible for special services. This includes a review of data, administration of tests and assessments, as well as observations of the student. Evaluations must be done one-on-one (not in a group), and must include a functional assessment of academic performance and behavior.

*When is an evaluation needed?*
An evaluation is needed after a parent, members of the Child Study Team (CST), and the student's teacher (if appropriate) have met, reviewed the relevant information, and decided that the student may be eligible for special education. *Before conducting any assessments, the district must ask for and get written consent from parents.* Parents should give their consent when they agree that the most appropriate assessments have been selected.

*What does the evaluation consist of?*	Back to Top
An initial evaluation shall consist of a multi-disciplinary assessment in all areas of suspected disability. The specific assessments depend on the student's suspected area(s) of disability. School districts are required to use different assessment tools and strategies, including information provided by the parent, anecdotal as well as outside evaluations performed by private professionals. For an initial evaluation, at least two CST members must participate, along with other specialists as necessary.

The evaluation must be sufficiently comprehensive to identify all of the special education and related service needs of a student. In addition, at least one evaluator on the team must: Observe the student outside a testing session. Observe the student's academic performance in the regular classroom Interview the student's parent(s) Interview the teacher(s) referring the student Review the student's developmental/educational history Review the interventions documented by the classroom teacher Conduct one or more informal measure(s).

*Who conducts the assessment(s)?*
The assessments are conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals consisting of at least two members of the CST and where appropriate, other specialists. At least one evaluator must be knowledgeable in the area of the student's suspected disability. For example, a suspected communication/articulation disability would require a speech / language evaluation. Assessments must be administered by certified personnel trained to administer the test.

*What assessments will be performed?*	Parent Tip!! The selection of the assessment tool is very important! Discuss in some detail how the assessment will be conducted. If you feel that the test may not be the most accurate measure of your child's abilities, request that the team investigate the use of other assessment tools.
Depending on the suspected disability, specific assessments might be required. These may or may not include utilizing standardized assessment. The assessment tools must be selected, administered and interpreted so that if, for example, a student has sensory, manual or communication impairments, the results reflect the student's ability, rather than the impairment.

Districts may not use any single procedure as the sole criterion for determining whether a student has a disability or to determine an appropriate educational program.

*What is in the written report?*	Back to Top
The evaluation team prepares a written report of the results of each assessment. They may write one report collaboratively, or each evaluator may write an individual report. The evaluation should give specific recommendations on: Teaching strategies Intervention techniques Staff needs Length of school day and academic year The need for related services

Written reports must include an appraisal of the student's current functioning and an analysis of instructional implications, as well as a statement regarding relevant behavior of the student and the relationship of that behavior to academic functioning.

DID YOU KNOW...
Meetings must be scheduled at a time and location reasonably convenient to the participants. Parents may participate via telephone or conference call if they cannot attend a meeting. The state now REQUIRES* that parents receive the written report 10 days before the meeting to discuss its contents.* If the disability is found to only require instruction/therapy by a Speech Language Specialist, the student is classified as "eligible for speech language services."	Back to Top