What exactly has to be accomplished in 60 days for the 3 year eval? Does the final meeting have to occur before 60 days, too? What if one of the evaluating parties is out on medical leave and they are putting a sub in that doesn’t know the child? How do you know you have the best possible evaluation for that child when the evaluator doesn’t know the child? Or does that not really matter, because it is good to have someone neutral who doesnt’ know your child? Thanks!
Answer: What needs to be accomplished within the 60 days of the reevaluation timeline?
Use of a variety of evaluation tests, tools, and strategies to gather information about your child
Evaluation will not be racially or culturally discriminatory
Evaluation will be in your child’s native language or communication mode
Evaluation must include the right test for your child’s area of disability
Tests must be given by trained and knowledgeable personnel, in accordance with the instructions provided by the producer of the test
Tests will not be used to only determine intelligence
If your child has impaired speaking or sensory skills, the evaluation should accurately reflect your child’s aptitude or achievement level-not just your child’s impairment
Evaluations must include “all areas of suspected disability,” including health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communicative status, motor abilities, behavior, and cognitive, physical, and developmental abilities
Evaluations must provide relevant information that will help determine your child’s education needs
In addition, the process must include other material on your child, such as information you provide (doctor’s letter or a statement of your observations), current classroom assessments and observations (objective tests or subjective teacher reports), and observations by other professionals.
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Should the meeting occur within the 60 days?
Yes! Do you know what day you signed the consent form for reevaluation? That date is when your 6o day timeline started. A written reminder notice for the school to schedule the meeting is appropriate at the 40 day mark.
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As for the evaluator “knowing” your child…
There are pros & cons to having a stranger vs a known provider test your child. The bottom line is- What tests is the provider giving and are they qualified according to the test protocol to administer the test.
Simply write the test administrator a note asking what tests she/he will be administering. For most tests you can look online to see the qualifications of an administrator. If you have questions about the persons qualifications, DO NOT HESITATE to ask either that person or their boss about their qualification. THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN WRITING AND KEEP A COPY FOR YOURSELF.
Well said.