Special Ed Evaluation Process

    • Step 1: Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services through the Child Find process. Once a Child Find has been initiated, the school has 25 school days to hold a Decision to Evaluate meeting. This will include a file review, academic, behavioral and health history as well as information from the student’s current teacher(s) and parents/guardians.

There are 13 eligible disability categories under IDEA:

  • Autism
  • Deaf-Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Developmental Delay (DD) for ages 3-8
  • Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD)
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Multiple Disabilities
  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Other Health Impaired
  • Specific Learning Disability
  • Speech or Language Impairment
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Visual Impairment
    • Step 2: Child is evaluated in areas of concern identified by the evaluation team. The school has 35 school days to complete the evaluation once consent from parents/guardians is obtained.

    • Step 3: Initial Evaluation report is presented to parents/guardians and eligibility is determined.

    • Step 4: If student is found eligible, an IEP meeting is scheduled within 30 days to develop the Initial Individualized Education Plan. Parent consent is required for an initial IEP.

    • Step 5: After the IEP is written, services are provided as soon as possible.

    • Step 6: Progress is measured and reported to parents.

    • Step 7: IEP is reviewed annually, however parents can request an IEP meeting outside of the annual review date as needed.

    • Step 8: Child is reevaluated every three years.


    Learn more about the process from the state superintendent's office.
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