Best Practices for Reevaluation

Exceptional Children and Intervention Services Convocation August 22, 2007

Reevaluation vs. Re-testing  Reevaluation is the process to consider the appropriateness of a student’s classification. This may include reviewing existing data or collecting new data or both.

 Re-Testing is collecting new data to consider the student’s classification.

Re-testing is expensive!

      Contract Psychologist’s fee School Resources Student time Parent time Teacher time Administrative time

Re-Testing Can Have Unexpected Results!

 Every time a student is re-tested, he/she may not meet the criteria for special services eligibility.

 Failing to meet eligibility requirements leads to dismissal from special services.

Required for Special Services    Meet eligible disability definition Negative impact on academic performance Need for specially designed instruction MUST HAVE ALL THREE

Re-testing:  Not to be avoided without cause  Not to be undertaken lightly and without just cause

When should we re-test?

 Parental request    Ask, “What do want to happen because of new data?” Most parental concerns can be addressed through the IEP.

Try to encourage a new or amended IEP rather than re-testing.

When should we re-test?

 Confirm classification   IDEA no longer requires TESTING every three years.

NCDPI STRONGLY recommends that a student be re-tested at least once to confirm the classification.

When should we re-test?

 Request of Judge or Court order  Our only response:

“Yes, your Honor!”

When should we re-test?

 College-bound Seniors   Many colleges and universities require a recent psychological evaluation in order to provide services at the college level.

Try to schedule these for second semester of 12 th grade.

When should we re-test?

 Compelling reason to believe that the student is ready to leave special services.

   Student is mainstreamed with minimal special support.

Student is making “As” and “Bs.” Student is making “4s” on the EOC/EOGs.

What this means for your students?

 Most students will be tested & re tested in elementary school and/or in middle school (depending on original placement).

What this means for your students?

 If the scores at initial and re-test are similar, then further re-testing may not be necessary.

 If scores are not similar or support different classifications, then further re-testing may be warranted at the student’s next anniversary.

What this means for your students?

 Developmentally Delayed (DD) students usually have no compelling reason to retest until the second semester of 2 nd grade.

Questions?

Contact Information Toni Braswell School Psychologist Lenoir County Public Schools [email protected]

ECIS Central Office @ Rochelle  252-286-6562  252-527-6498 FAX