What is an evaluation for special education?

When kids are having trouble with academics or behavior, there’s a process that schools can use to find out what’s causing these struggles. This process is called an “evaluation for special education.” The goal is to see if a child has a disability and needs specialized instruction and support.

A special education evaluation involves a series of steps:

• Having the school and family agree that a child needs an evaluation
• Gathering school data, like test scores and discipline records
• Giving questionnaires to teachers and parents or caregivers (and sometimes to the child) to get a full picture of how the child is doing at school and at home
• Having the child tested by a psychologist to see how the child thinks and solves problems
• Having the child tested by at least one other professional, like a speech therapist for children who have trouble expressing themselves
• Observing the child in a classroom or other school setting
• Meeting to discuss the evaluation’s findings and decide if the child qualifies for special education

Federal law says schools need to complete the evaluation process within 60 days. But some states have shorter timelines.

The evaluation process can create lots of different emotions for families. But after the evaluation, they should have a clear picture of their child’s strengths and challenges and an understanding of how to help their child thrive.

Dive deeper

Different terms for evaluations

One thing that’s confusing about evaluations is that there are so many different terms for them:

• Special education assessment
• School evaluation
• IEP evaluation
• Comprehensive or multidisciplinary evaluation

There are also different terms for tests that may be part of the evaluation:

• Psychoeducational evaluation or cognitive testing, which looks at how a child thinks
• Educational evaluation, which looks at a child’s academic skills
• Functional assessment, which looks at how a child behaves

Free school evaluations vs. private evaluations

School districts are required to evaluate any child who may need special education services. This includes kids who are homeschooled or go to private school.

A federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says these evaluations must be free to families. The part of the law that covers evaluations is called Child Find.

Some families may prefer to get a private evaluation, which can cost thousands of dollars.

Evaluations for ADHD

A school evaluation can look at behavior challenges like trouble paying attention. And kids can qualify for school supports for these kinds of behavioral challenges.

But a school can’t diagnose a child with ADHD or any other health condition. If families want a medical diagnosis, they need to go to a health care provider.

Evaluations for very young kids

Families don’t need to wait until their kids are old enough to go to school to start getting support for a disability. Kids from birth through age 3 can be evaluated for free to find out if they qualify for early intervention services.

Evaluations for teens and adults

It’s never too late to seek an evaluation. There are benefits to having an IEP or 504 plan during high school.

Students who receive IEP or 504 services in school may be eligible for accommodations on college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT. Having an IEP or 504 plan in high school can also help your child get accommodations in future studies.

College students can’t get free evaluations through their local school district. But they may be able to get free or low-cost evaluations elsewhere. The same is true for adults.

Learn more about:

• How to get accommodations on college admissions testing
• Who can evaluate adults for learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia
• Where to get free or low-cost private evaluations

Next steps

The more families learn about evaluations, the more confident they’ll feel about advocating for their child. Learn more about key steps in the evaluation process:

• Deciding if a child needs an evaluation
• Requesting a special education evaluation
• Getting ready for the evaluation
• Understanding the evaluation results