Special Education Evaluation Process

 

10 Basic Steps in Special Education

There's a lot to know about the process by which children are identified as having a disability and in need of special education and related services. This brief overview is an excellent place to start. Here, they have distilled the process into 10 basic steps.

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Parent Orientation to Special Education

This video from the Heartland Area Education Agency offers a brief overview and introductory information for families who are new to the Special Education process.

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Special Education Process

Understanding the Special Education Process - An Overview for Parents: This chart offers an overview of the special education process. It shows what happens from the time a child is referred for evaluation and is identified as having a disability, through the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

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La Evaluación Gratuita de Niños

Cada Estado debe identificar, localizar y evaluar a todos los niños con discapacidades que necesitan educación especial y servicios relacionados. Esta página describe el proceso de obtener y participar en una evaluación gratuita de un niño sospechado de tener una discapacidad o retraso en el desarrollo.

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Medical and Educational Models- Why and how they are different

When parents take their child to a doctor or therapist, have a medical or psychological evaluation done for their child, recommendations are made to benefit the child. Doctors often make recommendations for medical or therapeutic services to benefit the child and sometimes suggestions for school services. There have been times medical doctors have told families to request a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their child's school. It is important to remember this fact: Schools have an obligation (must) consider any information from outside providers but are not required to follow those recommendations.

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Reevaluation

When a child has an IEP, the federal law requires IEP teams to consider reevaluating the student at least every 3 years. Parents can also request that their child be reevaluated up to once per year. This is most often helpful when there are new issues coming up at school related to the disability or the child has received a new diagnosis that may impact him or her at school.

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Independent Educational Evaluations

In Iowa, evaluations for special education eligibility are usually done by Area Education Agency personnel, together with the educators at your child's school. However, parents have the right to other options if they believe the information described in the Educational Evaluation Report (EER) is incorrect or incomplete.

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Sample Letter Requesting an Evaluation for Special Education Eligibility

In Iowa, the initial evaluation process to determine eligibility for special education services begins with the suspicion of a disability and/or per parent request. If a disability is suspected, a team of educators will seek informed parent consent and begin planning the full and individual Initial Evaluation. During this comprehensive evaluation, the team gathers and documents data about a student's progress and needs. The team also looks at how the student's levels of performance and progress compare to those of classmates or same aged peers. At the end of the initial evaluation, the evaluation team will meet with the parent(s)to review the information gathered during evaluation and determine if a student is eligible for special education.

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Sample Letter Requesting a Re-Evaluation

In order to ensure students continue to be eligible to receive special education services and that their unique educational needs are being appropriately met, IDEA requires that re-evaluations of at a least every three years. The reevaluation process includes the review of existing information and if necessary, or requested, the collection of additional information.

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Requesting an Evaluation for Special Education Disability Suspected and the Initial Evaluation

When parents believe that a disability might be the reason for their child's difficulties in school there are specific steps that can be taken to request an evaluation for Special Education. Parents/guardians can request an evaluation for special education at any time. Children can get interventions in the general education setting and there is often no need for additional support.

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Requesting an Evaluation for Special Education Disability Suspected and the Initial Evaluation

When parents believe that a disability might be the reason for their child's difficulties in school there are specific steps that can be taken to request an evaluation for Special Education. Parents/guardians can request an evaluation for special education at any time. Children can get interventions in the general education setting and there is often no need for additional support.

Read the ASK Resource PDF

What is Special Education and Who is Eligible?

The term "Special Education" is defined by federal law to mean "specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability." It can include instruction in general education, special education, in the child's home, in a hospital or institution, or in some other setting. Instruction must also include physical education.

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A Comprehensive Special Education Evaluation Areas to consider for Special Education evaluations

A comprehensive evaluation covers all areas that may be impacted by a disability. It should identify all of a student's special education and related service needs. In order for an evaluation to be comprehensive a student should be evaluated in all areas related to the disability or area of concern, referred to as performance domains.

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