SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chapter 2

Information on Evaluation/Assessments

From a 13-Chapter Manual

Available by Chapter and in Manual Form

Written by:

Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE)

and

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI)

Copyright © 1992 by CASE and PAI

Ninth Edition

Revised December 2005

Written permission of the Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE) and Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) must be obtained for duplication of the materials contained in Special Education Rights and Responsibilities.

These materials are based on special education laws and court decisions in effect at the time of publication. Federal and state special education law can change at any time. If there is any question about the continued validity of any information in the handbook, contact CASE, PAI or a legal authority in your community.

 

Federal special education law was significantly amended by Congress in 2004 and will be further clarified by regulations from the U.S. Department of Education in 2006. The California Education Code has been amended to reflect some of the federal law changes but not all.  In certain circumstances where it provides greater protections or entitlements, California law will continue to control special education pupils’ rights unless it is amended to completely conform to federal law.

CASE and PAI will monitor the development of conforming state law and regulations, so that revised state laws and regulations can be incorporated into later supplements and editions of SERR.

For further information on the development of federal and state law and regulation, or clarification about IDEA implementation, please contact CASE or PAI.

 

Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE) provides legal support, representation, technical assistance consultations, and training to parents throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area whose children need appropriate special education services. Trained advocates and attorneys assist parents at IEP meetings, Mediation Conferences and Due Process Hearings. CASE also provides free consultations about special education rights and services to parents and professionals by telephone or face-to-face. CASE is a nonprofit organization serving all children with disabilities who need or may need special education services. For more information, contact:

CASE

 

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), is a private, nonprofit organi­zation that protects the legal, civil and service rights of Californians who have develop­mental or mental disabilities. PAI provides a variety of advocacy services, including information and referral, technical assistance, and direct representation. For information or assistance with an immediate problem, call:

PAI

Toll Free: (800) 776-5746

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM - Monday through Friday

 

 

PAI receives funding under the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act. Any opinions, findings, recommendations or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations which fund PAI.

SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1             Information on Basic Rights and Responsibilities

Chapter 2             Information on Evaluations/Assessments

Chapter 3             Information on Eligibility Criteria

Chapter 4             Information on IEP Process

Chapter 5             Information on Related Services

Chapter 6             Information on Due Process Hearings/Compliance Complaints

Chapter 7             Information on Least Restrictive Environment

Chapter 8             Information on Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Chapter 9             Information on Interagency Responsibility for Related Services (AB 3632/882)

Chapter 10        Information on Vocational Education

Chapter 11        Information on Preschool Education Services

Chapter 12        Information on Early Intervention Services

NOTE:              The text in each chapter refers to specific Questions in other chapters by using the titles shown above.

 

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SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chapter 2

Information on Evaluations/Assessments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Question                                                                                    Page

1.      How can I get the school district to evaluate or assess my child?. 1

2.      How long will it take for the district to complete my child’s assessment?. 1

3.      My child’s school is on a year-round schedule, but I was told that they didn’t have to test my child in July or August. Is that true?. 2

4.      My child is on a traditional school year calendar (September through June) and also attends an extended school year program during the summer. Does the district have to do assessments during the summer?. 3

5.      Does my child have to be referred to the student study team before assessment for special education?. 3

6.      My child has been referred for special education, and I received an assessment plan with a long list of tests that might be administered. Shouldn’t the district be more specific?. 4

7.      How can I contribute to the assessment process?. 4

8.      What questions should I ask when my child is scheduled for an assessment?. 4

9.      What should an assessment cover?. 5

10.   Can I ask for very specific kinds of assessments – such as a neurological examination or a non-oral assessment? What if the district does not have appropriate trained personnel to do the testing?. 5

11.   How can I ensure that the assessment covers emotional and behavioral areas?. 6

12.   SEE ALSO CHAPTER 1, QUESTION & ANSWER 2(A). I believe that my child has a learning disability. Does the school have to do anything different when assessing for a specific learning disability?. 6

13.   Are there documents that I may have that would help in the assessment process?. 7

14.   How can I explain to my child why she is being assessed?. 7

15.   How can I prepare my child for assessment?. 8

16.   What are the procedures and standards for assessment tests and tools?. 8

17.   Who conducts the assessment?. 9

18.   Does the assessment have to be provided in my child’s primary language?. 9

19.   SEE ALSO CHAPTER 1, QUESTION AND ANSWER 2(A). What are the most common tests used in the assessment of a child with suspected learning disabilities?. 9

20.   Are there public education facilities outside of the local education agency that can assess my child?.