October 26, 2009
Initial Assessments for an IEP
IDEA is a federal law and each state determines how they will implement the laws.
An initial assessment does not necessarily mean the first evaluation for the student. It is the assessment to determine if they are eligible for special education despite how many prior assessments have been done. This is different from re-evaluation and triennial evaluation. Re-evaluation is any evaluation done after they are initially assessed. All assessments are to inform the IEP team. The team needs a rich body of data to evaluate.
Initial assessments also determine their present level of performance in order to establish the annual goals. An assessment plan must be provided to the parents if the student is determined eligible for special education. Referrals for assessment can be made by a professional or the parents directly. Once referral has been made and assessment has be done, LEA cannot take more than 60 days to write the report and issue the data. Minnesota has reduced this to 30 days under their state laws.
Initial assessment must be comprehensive enough for IEP team to determine what services should entail. All areas of disability for the student needs to be assessed appropriately. The quality of any evaluation is important but the initial evaluation is essential.
