IEP Evaluation Guide

💛 Introduction

At Parents of Brave Hearts, our mission is to help families navigate special education with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Understanding the IEP evaluation process is one of the most important steps in advocating for your child’s educational needs.

This guide explains what an IEP evaluation is, when it’s needed, how to request one, and what happens afterward, rewritten in parent‑friendly language while grounded in the research provided by Francesca Korbas, an experienced special education advocate. (Reference: “An IEP evaluation does two main things: establishes the presence and nature of a child’s disabilities; determines the extent to which these disabilities impair or disrupt the child’s ability to get an education.” )

🌼 What Is an IEP Evaluation?

An IEP evaluation is a formal assessment conducted by your child’s school to determine:

• Whether your child has a disability recognized under IDEA

• Whether that disability negatively impacts their ability to learn, requiring special education services (Reference: “IDEA mandates that for a child to receive an IEP, they must… have a disability… and this disability must also be shown to negatively impact the child’s educational capabilities.” )

This evaluation is the first step toward receiving an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

🌸 When an Evaluation Is Needed

An evaluation is appropriate when:

• Your child struggles academically (reading, writing, math)

• You notice developmental or behavioral challenges

• Teachers observe learning difficulties in the classroom (Reference: “Struggles with reading, writing, or math… trouble focusing… communication challenges…” )

Parents and teachers can request an evaluation at any time. Schools must attempt basic classroom interventions first, but these should not delay the evaluation process.

🌺 Who Can Request an IEP Evaluation?

• Parents or Guardians

• Teachers or School Staff

• Medical or Developmental Professionals (pediatricians, psychologists, therapists) (Reference: “Parents have the right to request… Teachers may recommend… medical or developmental professionals may also suggest an evaluation.” )

  
  

🌷 How to Request an Evaluation

You must submit a written request to your school district. Your letter should include:

• Your child’s name, school, and grade

• A description of your concerns

• Any diagnoses, past evaluations, or documentation (Reference: “The written request has to provide details… child’s name… description of learning concerns… relevant diagnoses…” )

Parents of Brave Hearts provides templates to make this step easier.

🌻 What Happens During the Evaluation

A multidisciplinary team conducts several assessments, which may include:

• Academic testing

• Cognitive and developmental evaluations

• Motor skills assessments

• Behavioral and social‑emotional evaluations

• Speech and language testing

• Classroom observations (Reference: “Academic assessment… cognitive and developmental testing… motor skills… behavioral… speech and language…” )

All assessments must be non‑discriminatory and conducted in your child’s native language.

🌼 Timeline You Should Expect

• Consent Required: Schools must obtain your written, informed consent

• Evaluation Deadline: Typically within 60 days of consent

• IEP Meeting: Must occur within 30 days if your child qualifies

• Services Begin: Within 90 days of consent (Reference: “Federal law generally requires evaluations to be completed within about 60 days… IEP team has 30 calendar days… services must begin within 90 days…” )

  
  

🌸 How Eligibility Is Determined

Your child must:

1. Have one of the 13 IDEA‑recognized disabilities

2. Show that the disability impacts educational performance   (Reference: “Eligibility criteria… child must have a disability… and that this disability negatively impacts the child’s educational capabilities.” )

If eligible, an IEP meeting is scheduled with:

• Parents

• General education teacher

• Special education teacher

• School district representative

• Someone who can interpret evaluation results (Reference: “By law, the IEP team must include… parents… teachers… representative… qualified person…” )

  
  

🌺 If Your Child Does Not Qualify

They may still receive support through a Section 504 Plan, which provides accommodations but not specialized instruction.

🌷 If You Disagree With the Evaluation

You have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the school district’s expense. (Reference: “Parents… have the option to have an Independent Educational Evaluation… school must either pay… or file for due process.” )

🌻 Your Role as a Parent

You are the most important member of your child’s IEP team. You can:

• Request evaluations

• Review results

• Ask questions

• Request additional assessments

• Participate fully in all decisions (Reference: “Parents can request evaluations, review results, and participate in eligibility decisions.” )

  
  

🌟 Research Credit

Prepared by: Chotimanee Guandique

Founder, Parents of Brave Hearts

Cho Empowers Official

Research and Educational Sources

This resource was prepared by Chotimanee Guandique for Parents of Brave Hearts using educational research and publicly available guidance from:

• Francesca Korbas, Director of The Advocacy Circle (research on the IEP evaluation process).

• New York State Education Department (NYSED) – Special Education and Individualized Education Program (IEP) guidance.

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), U.S. Department of Education.

This guide is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Families are encouraged to consult their school district or a qualified special education advocate or attorney regarding their individual circumstances.