Initial Evaluation

Referral for Special Education
Upon request by parent or district staff, the special education team makes the determination as to whether the district will pursue an evaluation for special education.
  • District must evaluate if district team suspects or has reason to suspect that the child has a disability that has an adverse impact on the child’s educational performance and the child may need special education as a result of the disability.
  • Team must include the parent and at least two professionals, at least one of whom is a specialist knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and education of children with disabilities.
  • Not required to conduct a meeting, but parent input is required; parent must be invited if meeting is conducted.
  • If the team determines that there is no reason to suspect that the child has a disability that has an adverse impact on the child’s educational performance, they must:
  • Send parent Prior Written Notice of Special Education Action providing explanation of why evaluation will not be completed.
  • Provide copy of Procedural Safeguards and review with parent.

Evaluation for Special Education
Pre-Evaluation Planning
Send parent Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation – only complete UPPER portion of the form providing notice.
Initial evaluation process begins with a team review of existing evaluation information, including:
  • review of evaluations and information provided by the parents;
  • current classroom-based, local and/or state assessments, and classroom observations; and
  • observations by teachers and related services providers.
  • May conduct pre-planning review without a meeting, but parent input is required; parent must be invited if meeting is conducted.

When no additional data is required to determine eligibility: / When additional data is require to determine eligibility:
  • Written parent consent to evaluate is not required.
  • Provide Prior Notice of Special Education Action of the decision and the reasons for it.
  • Copy of Procedural Safeguards given to the parents and reviewed with them; document date given.
  • Notify parents of their right to challenge decision not to evaluate under OAR 581-015-2345.
/ The team identifies additional information needed to determine the child’s eligibility, the child’s present levels, and/or the child’s special education and related services needs.
  • District completes LOWER portion of Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation. Written parent consent to evaluate is required.
  • Date of written parent consent initiates 60 school day timeline to complete evaluation.
  • Provide copy of description of any evaluation procedure or assessment to be used in the evaluation.
  • May not use any single assessment as the sole criterion to determine eligibility.
  • Release form is to be completed if necessary to obtain relevant information (Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Education & Protected Health Information).
  • Copy of Procedural Safeguards given to the parents and reviewed with them; document on consent for evaluation form.

Team Determines Eligibility for Special Education
Team determines eligibility of student as per OAR 581-015-2120 and OAR 581-015-2130 through 581-015-2180.
  • Team must include parent and two or more qualified professionals, at least one of whom is knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and education of children with the suspected disability.
  • For a child suspected of having a specific learning disability, the team must meet the requirements of OAR 581-015-2170.
  • Team must prepare an evaluation report and written statement of eligibility and provide copies at no cost to the parents.
  • For a child who may have disabilities in more than one category, the team need only qualify the child under one disability category, however, the child must be evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disabilities and the IEP must address all of the child’s special education needs.
  • If child is eligible, the IEP team must develop an IEP within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination meeting.
  • Signed consent for the initial provision of special education services required prior to provision of services (Prior Notice & Consent for Initial Provision of Special Education Services).

Re-Evaluation

Re-evaluation
The district must initiate the re-evaluation process at least once every 3 years, unless the parent and district sign a written agreement that no evaluation is necessary. OAR 581-015-2105
No Evaluation Necessary / Evaluation Process Initiated
withPre-Evaluation Planning
  • District and parent agree that reevaluation is unnecessary to determine continued eligibility and to make other determinations regarding the child’s IEP.
  • Written district/parent agreement required waiving the 3-year re-evaluation requirement.
  • Note: 60 school day timeline does not apply since re-evaluation process is not initiated. 3 year timelines do apply.
/ Send parent Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation – only complete UPPER portion of the form providing notice.
The evaluation process begins with a team review of existing evaluation information, including:
  • review of evaluations and information provided by the parents;
  • current classroom-based, local and/or state assessments, and classroom observations; and
  • observations by teachers and related services providers.
  • May conduct pre-planning review without a meeting, but parent input is required; if meeting is conducted then parent must be invited.

When no additional data is required / When additional data is require to determine eligibility
  • No written parent consent to evaluate is required.
  • Provide Prior Notice of Special Education Action of the decision and the reasons for it.
  • Notify parents of their right to challenge decision not to evaluate under OAR 581-015-2345.
/ The team identifies additional information needed to determine the child’s eligibility, the child’s present levels, and/or the child’s special education and related services needs.
  • District completes LOWER portion of Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation. Written parent consent to evaluate is required.
  • Date of written parent consent initiates 60 school day timeline to complete evaluation.
  • Provide copy of description of any evaluation procedure or assessment to be used in the evaluation.
  • May not use any single assessment as the sole criterion to determine eligibility.
  • Release form is to be completed if necessary to obtain relevant information (Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Education & Protected Health Information).

Team Determines Eligibility for Special Education
Team determines eligibility of student as per OAR 581-015-2120 and OAR 581-015-2130 through 581-015-2180.
  • Team must include parent and two or more qualified professionals, at least one of whom is knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and education of children with the suspected disability.
  • For a child suspected of having a specific learning disability, the team must meet the requirements of OAR 581-015-2170.
  • Team must prepare an evaluation report and written statement of eligibility and provide copies at no cost to the parents.
  • For a child who may have disabilities in more than one category, the team need only qualify the child under one disability category, however, the child must be evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disabilities and the IEP must address all of the child’s special education needs.
  • Prior Notice of Special Education Action required if the district proposes to change the eligibility of the child.