Special Education Evaluation Requirements Overview

1. Evaluation Requirements for 2010-11 School Year & Beyond May 2010 BMP Tri-County Special Education Cooperative

2. Resource Document • Information is summarized from and based on the state document, Illinois State Special Education Eligibility and Entitlement Procedures and Criteria within a Response to Intervention (RtI) Framework: A Guidance Document, which is available along with a FAQ sheet on the ISBE website: • http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/sped_rti_framework.pdf • http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/faq_sped_entitlement_rti.pdf

3. Handouts That Address Changes • BMP developed the following documents to ensure that state requirements for special education evaluations are met: • Evaluation Requirements (Outline Summary) • Evaluation Worksheet • SLD Evaluation Worksheet, Part A • SLD Evaluation Worksheet, Part B • Guidelines on Intervention/Data for SLD Referrals • IEP Data Plan Guidelines/Checklist

4. 1. Evaluation Requirements (Summary) • This document is an overview summarizing required procedures for evaluation under the new state-mandated criteria • Addresses requirements for evaluation planning, documentation, and eligibility determination procedures • Worksheets and intervention/data collection guidelines address all requirements in the summary

5. Overview of Worksheets • To be completed by school principal and staff, with BMP staff assistance as needed • Information may come from several individuals: Each contributor initials items they respond to and signs at the end of the worksheet • Many items apply to all students at given grade levels, so can be completed once and photocopied • Some items are specific to the individual student being evaluated

6. Overview of Worksheets, con’t. • State-recommended sources of information include: • principal’s observations • integrity checklists • information gathered through district improvement plan • professional development plans • Additional sources can be brainstormed as needed

7. 2. Evaluation Worksheet • Applies to evaluations of all disabilities • Addresses required documentation of instruction provided prior to evaluation in: • Core Reading curriculum • Core Math curriculum • Limited English Proficiency, if applicable

8. 3. SLD Evaluation Worksheet, Part A • Applies only to students suspected of having a Specific Learning Disability • Addresses required documentation of the following assessments provided prior to evaluation: • Universal screening (benchmarking) for all students in the area(s) of concern for the student being evaluated • Progress monitoring in the area(s) of concern for the student being evaluated

9. 4. SLD Evaluation Worksheet, Part B • Applies only to students suspected of having a Specific Learning Disability • Addresses required documentation of supplemental Tier II and Tier III interventions provided to the student prior to evaluation in area(s) of concern • One worksheet per intervention

10. 5. Guidelines on Intervention/Data for SLD Referrals • Applies only to: • Initial evaluations for Specific Learning Disability • Students with IEPs suspected of additionally having a Specific Learning Disability • Specifies a clear, consistent standard for the amount of intervention and data necessary to document that the team suspects a Specific Learning Disability (and is therefore considering evaluation) in the area(s) of concern • First page specifies guidelines • Second page offers information to assist in meeting guidelines

11. 6. IEP Data Plan Guidelines • Applies only to students who have been identified as having a Specific Learning Disability • Specifies clear, consistent guidelines for measurable goals and data collection to document progress in response to special education interventions • Data will be necessary for the re-evaluation process • First page provides guidelines in outline form • Second page provides guidelines in checklist form

12. Follow-Up! • Please take time to look over materials and fax any questions to BMP by Wednesday, May 19th • Indicate “Attention Evaluation Committee” • Fax: (815) 879-9008 • Questions will be addressed at a follow-up meeting: • Monday May 24th • 2:30-4:00 pm • Here at Perry Plaza