Evaluation
"Evaluation" is the procedure used to determine whether a child has a disability and if the child's disability is of the nature and extent that the child would be eligible for special education and related services. Evaluation procedures used are determined on an individual basis by a Multi-disciplinary Evaluation team, which includes the parents. Parents are asked to provide permission to conduct the evaluation via a Permission to Evaluate-Consent Form. The evaluation team takes into consideration cultural issues as they determine the assessment tools that will be administered for the student. A single test or procedure cannot be the sole factor in determining that a child is eligible for special education services. The initial evaluation shall be completed and a copy of the evaluation report shall be presented to the parents no later than 60 calendar days after the agency receives written parental consent. Evaluation for the purpose of determining if a child is a child with a disability eligible for special education does not include the procedures or basic tests that are administered to all children. Parents who think their child is a child with a disability may request, at any time, that the school district conduct an evaluation to determine if the child is eligible to receive special education and related services. This request must be made in writing to the Asst to the Superintendent for Pupil Services. If a parent makes an oral request for an evaluation to any professional school employee or administrator, the school district shall provide the parent with a Permission to Evaluate - Evaluation Request Form to complete within 10 calendar days of the oral request.
Independent Educational Evaluation
The parents of a child with a disability have the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation of the child, subject to the provisions outlined below. The district shall provide to parents, upon request for an independent educational evaluation, information about where an independent educational evaluation may be obtained, and criteria applicable for independent educational evaluations as set forth below. For the purposes of this part, "independent educational evaluation" means an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the district and "public expense" means that the district either pays for the full cost of the evaluation or ensures that the evaluation is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent.
A parent has the right to an independent educational evaluation at public expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation obtained by the district. If a parent requests an independent educational evaluation at public expense, the district, without unnecessary delay, either initiates a hearing under procedures described below to show that its evaluation is appropriate or shall ensure that an independent educational evaluation is provided at public expense. If the district initiates a hearing and the final decision is that the district's evaluation is appropriate, the parent still has the right to an independent educational evaluation, but not at district expense.
If a parent requests an independent educational evaluation, the district may ask for the parent's reason why he or she objects to the district's evaluation. However, the explanation by the parent is not required and the district may not unreasonably delay either providing the independent educational evaluation at public expense or initiating a due process hearing to defend the district's evaluation.
Parent-Initiated Evaluations
If the parent obtains an independent educational evaluation at private expense, the results of the evaluation must be considered by the district, if it meets the district's criteria, in any decision made with respect to the provision of FAPE to the child. In addition the independent educational evaluation may be presented as evidence at a Due Process hearing.