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Advocate Like A Mother

The Importance of Comprehensive IEP Evaluations

BY MARIA GIANCOTTI, M.ED. - STUDENT ADVOCACY MICHIGAN

When a child is struggling in school, one of the most powerful tools a parent can access is a comprehensive evaluation through the school’s special education process. This evaluation is the foundation for determining eligibility for special education services and designing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that truly meets the child’s unique needs. Yet far too often, evaluations are incomplete or too narrow in scope, missing key areas that could support the student’s growth. Understanding your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and knowing what a comprehensive evaluation should include are essential steps for every parent.

WHAT DOES IDEA SAY?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school districts are legally required to conduct a comprehensive evaluation before determining whether a child qualifies for special education services. According to 34 C.F.R. § 300.304, evaluations must:

• Be tailored to assess all areas of suspected disability

• Use a variety of assessment tools and strategies

• Not rely on a single procedure as the sole criterion

• Be administered by trained personnel

• Be technically sound and valid for the purpose used

• In short, evaluations must be individualized, thorough, and aimed at identifying all the child’s educational and functional needs — not just those related to the suspected disability.

THE EVALUATION PROCESS: KNOW THE STEPS

Here’s a brief breakdown of how the process works:

1. Referral: A parent, teacher, or professional can request an evaluation. This request should be in writing.

2. Consent: The school must obtain written consent from the parent before starting any assessments.

3. Evaluation Timeline: In Michigan, the school has 30 school days (federal law is 60 calendar days) from the date of consent to complete the evaluation.

4. Eligibility Determination: Once the evaluation is completed, a team — including the parent — meets to determine eligibility for services.

5. IEP Development: If eligible, an IEP is developed using data gathered from the evaluations.

WHAT SHOULD BE EVALUATED?

A truly comprehensive evaluation looks at the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Here are key areas to consider:

• Cognitive/Intellectual Functioning: IQ testing or assessments that measure processing, reasoning, and memory.

• Academic Achievement: Reading, writing, math, and other subject-specific skills.

• Speech and Language: Receptive and expressive language skills, articulation, fluency, and pragmatics (social language).

• Occupational Therapy: Fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, and daily living skills.

• Social-Emotional and Behavioral Functioning: Emotional regulation, social skills, mental health concerns, and behavior patterns.

• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): For students with challenging behaviors, this helps identify the cause and potential interventions.

• Executive Functioning: Attention, organization, planning, impulse control, emotion regulation, task initiation, task completion and self-monitoring.

• Adaptive Behavior: Daily living skills and independence, especially important for students with intellectual disabilities or autism.

Parents can and should request evaluations in any area they believe may impact their child’s ability to learn. If the school declines, they must provide a written explanation called a Prior Written Notice (PWN) (34 C.F.R. § 300.503).

FORGET ABOUT REEVALUATIONS

Once a child is found eligible for special education, that they be reevaluated at least once every three years, unless the parent and school agree that it is unnecessary. This is known as a triennial evaluation and is crucial to ensure that the child’s needs, strengths, and services are still appropriately identified and addressed. The reevaluation must follow the same legal standards as the initial evaluation and consider whether the child continues to qualify as a student with a disability under IDEA. (34 C.F.R. § 300.303)

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS (IEES)

If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the school district’s expense (34 C.F.R. § 300.502). This can provide an outside perspective and often leads to a more accurate understanding of the child’s needs.

FINAL THOUGHTS: EMPOWERMENT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE

Evaluations are not just about qualifying for services — they are about understanding your child’s strengths and challenges in a meaningful way. As a parent, you have a seat at the table and a voice in shaping your child’s future. Insist on thorough, individualized assessments, and don't be afraid to ask questions or request additional evaluations when needed.

Your child deserves an education that helps them thrive — and it all starts with getting the right information, right from the start.

 

If you need support in the IEP or 504 process, contact us at 248-372-9770 or visit our website at www.studentadvocacymi.com.

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