What is an initital evaluation?
The initial evaluation is the first time a child is being evaluated for special education. Parents have the right to give or refuse consent for this evaluation. What must be included in an evaluation? To determine a child’s eligibility and special needs, a multidisciplinary team must evaluate the child. The tests must not discriminate by race or culture and must be given in the child’s primary language unless it is clearly impossible to do so. For example, a child who primarily communicates through sign language must be provided with an evaluator who signs or a sign language interpreter. Children who primarily speak in a foreign language, such as Spanish, Russian or Vietnamese must be tested in that language. The evaluation should include observations by all persons who are familiar with the child, such as parents, teachers and caregivers. The child must be evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disability which may include: • academic achievement • health status • sensory nee
