A student may be referred for an evaluation for special education by school staff, parents or any person knowledgeable about the student. The referral must be in writing, unless the person is unable to write. In that case, the person may ask school personnel to record the request in writing.
The parent must be provided prior written notice whenever the district proposes or refuses to initiate or change the student's identification or evaluate the student. This includes when district personnel refer a student for evaluation and determine:
- that an evaluation is unnecessary, or
- an evaluation is necessary.
If the team determines that an evaluation is necessary, they must have parental consent to proceed with the evaluation.
The purpose of an evaluation is to determine the student's eligibility for special education services. The evaluation process should be sufficient in scope to determine:
- whether the student has a disability,
- whether the disability adversely affects his/her performance in the general education curriculum, and
- the nature and extent of the student's need for specially designed instruction and any necessary related services.
Upon completion of the evaluation, the team must write an evaluation report. If the evaluation group believes the student may have a specific learning disability(SLD), a supplementary report for SLD must be completed and attached. The evaluation report must include:
- background information such as the reason for the referral, relevant medical/developmental information, grade retention, previous interventions and their results, parent concerns and other information provided by the parent;
- current levels of performance, based on existing data and/or additional assessments;
- eligibility determination which includes the results of assessments, a description of any adverse educational impact and a statement of how the disability affects a student's involvement in the general education curriculum (or for preschoolers, in appropriate activities). When making the eligibility determination, the team must state:
•· the disability category in which the student qualifies,
•· recommended specially designed instruction,
•· necessary related services, and
•· any other information needed to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP).
The IEP must be based upon information in the evaluation report. If the student needs services in any academic, functional or behavioral areas, there must be a reference to the need in the evaluation report.