Your Child's Evaluation

Laura's Story

When Laura was 8 years old, her teacher, Mrs. Adams, saw that Laura was having a lot of trouble with reading and writing. This surprised Mrs. Adams, because Laura was very good at remembering things she heard. She asked the school to check, or evaluate, Laura to see if she had a disability.

Laura’s parents had also been worried about Laura’s problems. When the school asked for permission to evaluate Laura, Laura’s parents said yes. The evaluation took about one month. It involved many different things and people.

The evaluation group, including Laura’s parents, looked at Laura’s school records and test scores. The group gave Laura more tests and talked to her. They also talked to her teacher and her parents. They watched how she did her work and learned more about where and when she has problems.

In the end, the evaluation showed that Laura has a learning disability. Now the school knows why she has trouble with reading and writing. Laura is now getting special help in school.

The Purpose of Evaluation: Finding Out Why

Many children have trouble in school. Some, like Laura, have trouble learning to read or write. Others have a hard time remembering new information. Still others may have trouble behaving themselves. Children can have all sorts of problems.

It’s important to find out why a child is not doing well in school. The child may have a disability. By law, schools must provide special help to eligible children with disabilities. This help is called special education and related services.

You may ask the school to evaluate your child, or the school may ask you for permission to do an evaluation. If the school thinks your child may have a disability and may need special education and related services, they must evaluate your child before providing your child with these services. This evaluation is at no cost to you. The evaluation will tell you and the school:

• if your child has a disability; and
• what kind of special help your child needs in school.

Step 1: Using What Is Known

A group of people, including you, will evaluate your child. This group will begin by looking at what is already known about your child. The group will look at your child’s school file and recent test scores. You and your child’s teacher may provide information to be included in this review.

The evaluation group needs enough information to decide if your child has a disability. It also needs to know what kind of special help your child needs. Is there enough information about your child to answer these questions? If your child is being evaluated for the first time, maybe not.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Our country’s special education law is called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA is a very important law for children with disabilities, their families, and schools. The evaluation process described in this Basics for Parents is based on what this law requires.

If you want to know all the law’s requirements, you may wish to request a copy of the law and its regulations. Ask NICHCY how to do this.

Step 2: Collecting More Information

The group of people, including you, involved in your child’s evaluation will tell the school what information it still needs about your child, and the school must collect that information.