evaluations

If a child is suspected of having educationally related problems, a parent, teacher, or other individual may make a "referral" for special
education. The referral should be made in writing, and submitted to the school principal, school district superintendent, or any school official.
A referral may also be commenced at anytime in conjunction with the state's early intervention program.

Each school district should have a procedure in place to determine whether or not to conduct an evaluation. Submitting a referral does not
necessarily mean that the child has a disability which negatively affects educational performance. It merely indicates an individual's belief that
the student is having educationally related difficulties which may or may not be due to a disability. It is important to know that not all
referrals result in an evaluation being conducted.

If a district decides that an evaluation is not justified, it must notify the parent in writing of its decision, along with the reasons for its decision.

If a district decides that an evaluation is appropriate, the parent's written consent ins necessary in order to proceed with the evaluation
process. The district's request for consent does not necessarily indicate that the student has a disability.

Once a district determines that an evaluation is necessary, and the parent consents to the evaluation, the district has sixty school days during
which to complete the evaluation and convene a conference to determine whether or not the child has an educational disability.

The sixty day timeline starts on the day that the parent provides written consent to the evaluation. If the referral is made with fewer than sixty
school days remaining in the school year, the evaluation and eligibility conference must be made before the first day of the subsequent school
year. If the child has an IFSP pursuant to an early intervention program, the school and early intervention team must arrange a transition
conference at least ninety days before the child’s third birthday. At the time of the child’s third birthday, the following should have occurred:
completion of evaluation, determination of eligibility, and development of an IEP. If the child’s third birthday occurs at the end of the school
year, or during the summer, the IEP team shall determine when the child’s special education services will begin.

The evaluation is “a series of procedures designed to provide information about a child’s suspected disability; the nature and extent of the
problems that are or will be adversely affecting his/her educational development; and the type of intervention and assistance needed to
alleviate these problems.” (Illinois Administrative Code)

The child should be evaluated in each of the following areas that are related to the child’s suspected disability:

academic performance
general intelligence
hearing
social and emotional status
communication status
health
motor abilities
vision

The IEP team then reviews existing evaluation about the child. This evaluation data might include, among others, classroom-based
assessments, educator observations, and parent-provided information. The review will determine if any additional data are necessary in order
to determine the following:

Whether the child has a disability;
The child’s present level of performance;
Whether the disability adversely affects the child’s education;
Whether the child requires special education and related services; and
Whether the child requires any modifications in order to participate in the general curriculum and/or to achieve his/her IEP goals

and objectives/benchmarks.

When the team decides which assessments (if any) are necessary, it documents the evaluation decision and gives the parents a written copy.
If the team needs additional data, they will complete assessments and determine eligibility based upon the results. The team will convene a
conference in order to determine whether or not the child is eligible for special education and related services. When the evaluation results
are complete, the parent and team of professionals meet in order to interpret the evaluation results.

The team’s interpretation determines the following decisions:

If the child has an educational disability;
If the disability has an adverse affect upon the child’s education;
Whether or not special education and related services are required.

At least ten days prior, the district will notify the parent of the meeting’s date, time and purpose. This meeting is oftentimes referred to as an
Eligibility Determination Conference (EDC). To learn more about eligibility, click here.