1. As part of any initial evaluation (if appropriate) and as part of any reevaluation, the IEP team and other qualified professionals, as appropriate, must:
a. Review existing evaluation data on the student, including:
(1) Evaluations and information provided by the parents of the student; (2) Current classroom-based, local, or State assessments, and classroom-
based observations; and
(3) Observations by teachers and related services providers; and
b. On the basis of that review, and input from the student’s parents, identify what additional data, if any, are needed to determine:
(1) Whether the student is a student with a disability and the educational needs of the student; or, in the case of a reevaluation of a student, whether the student continues to have such a disability, and the educational needs of the student;
(2) The present levels of academic achievement and related developmental needs of the student;
(3) Whether the student needs special education and related services; or, in the case of a reevaluation of a student, whether the student continues to need special education and related services; and
(4) Whether any additions or modifications to the special education and related services are needed to enable the student to meet the measurable annual goals set out in the IEP of the student and to participate, as appropriate, in the general education curriculum.
2. The IEP team and other qualified professionals, as appropriate, may conduct its review of existing data without a meeting.
3. The LEA must administer such assessments and other evaluation measures as may be needed to produce the data needed to determine continuing eligibility. 4. If the IEP team and other qualified professionals, as appropriate, determine that
no additional data are needed to determine whether the student continues to be a student with a disability, and to determine the student’s educational needs, the LEA must notify the student’s parent(s) of:
a. That determination and the reasons for the determination; and
b. The right of the parent(s) to request an assessment to determine whether the student continues to be a student with a disability, and to determine the student’s educational needs.
5. The LEA is not required to conduct the assessment for reevaluation described in Rule II.H.4 unless requested to do so by the student’s parent(s).
6. Evaluations before change in eligibility.
a. An LEA must evaluate a student with a disability before determining that the student is no longer a student with a disability.
b. The evaluation is not required before the termination of a student’s eligibility due to graduation from secondary school with a regular diploma, or due to exceeding the age eligibility for FAPE under State law (i.e., age 22).
c. For a student whose eligibility terminates due to graduation from secondary school with a regular high school diploma or due to exceeding the age eligibility for FAPE under State law, an LEA must provide the student with a summary of the student’s academic achievement and functional performance, which shall include recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting the student’s postsecondary goals.
7. Parental consent is not required before (§300.300):
a. Reviewing existing data as part of an evaluation or a reevaluation; or b. Administering a test or other evaluation that is administered to all students
unless, before administration of that test or evaluation, consent is required of parents of all students.
8. If a parent of a student who is home schooled or placed in a private school by the parent(s) at their own expense does not provide consent for the initial evaluation or the reevaluation, or the parent fails to respond to a request to provide consent: a. The LEA may not use the dispute resolution procedures provided in the
Procedural Safeguards, and including mediation or due process procedures; and
b. The LEA is not required to consider the student as eligible for services. 9. To meet the reasonable efforts requirement of this section, the LEA must
document its attempts to obtain parental consent. II.I. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY (§300.306).
1. Upon completion of the administration of assessments and other evaluation measures, a group of qualified professionals and the parent of the student determine eligibility under Part B of the IDEA and these Rules, including: a. Whether that student is a student with a disability,
b. The special education and related services needs, and c. The educational needs of the student.
2. The LEA shall provide the parent with a copy of the evaluation report and the documentation of determination of eligibility.
3. A student must not be determined to be a student with a disability: a. If the determinant factor for that determination is:
(1) Lack of appropriate instruction in reading, including the essential components of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency);
(2) Lack of appropriate instruction in mathematics; or (3) Limited English proficiency; and
b. If the student does not otherwise meet the eligibility criteria. 4. Procedures for determining eligibility and educational need.
a. In interpreting evaluation data for the purpose of determining if a student is a student with a disability, and the educational needs of the student, each LEA must:
(1) Draw upon information from a variety of sources, such as aptitude and achievement tests, parent input, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior; and (2) Ensure that information obtained from all of these sources is documented
and carefully considered.
b. If a determination is made that a student has a disability and needs special education and related services, an IEP must be developed for the student within 30 calendar days.
II.J. CATEGORICAL DEFINITIONS, CRITERIA, AND ASSESSMENTS (§300.8).