Initial Evaluation
Referral for Special Education
Upon request by parent or district staff, the special education team makes the determination as to
whether the district will pursue an evaluation for special education.
 District must evaluate if district team suspects or has reason to suspect that the child has a
disability that has an adverse impact on the child’s educational performance and the child may
need special education as a result of the disability.
 Team must include the parent and at least two professionals, at least one of whom is a specialist
knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and education of children with disabilities.
 Not required to conduct a meeting, but parent input is required; parent must be invited if meeting
is conducted.
 If the team determines that there is no reason to suspect that the child has a disability that has an
adverse impact on the child’s educational performance, they must:
o Send parent Prior Written Notice of Special Education Action providing explanation of
why evaluation will not be completed.
o Provide copy of Procedural Safeguards and review with parent.
Evaluation for Special Education
Pre-Evaluation Planning
Send parent Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation – only complete UPPER portion of the
form providing notice.
Initial evaluation process begins with a team review of existing evaluation information, including:
 review of evaluations and information provided by the parents;
 current classroom-based, local and/or state assessments, and classroom observations; and
 observations by teachers and related services providers.
 May conduct pre-planning review without a meeting, but parent input is required; parent must be
invited if meeting is conducted.
When no additional
data is required to
determine eligibility:
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Written parent
consent to evaluate is
not required.
Provide Prior Notice of
Special Education
Action of the decision
and the reasons for it.
Copy of Procedural
Safeguards given to
the parents and
reviewed with them;
document date given.
Notify parents of their
right to challenge
decision not to
evaluate under OAR
581-015-2345.
When additional data is require to determine eligibility:
The team identifies additional information needed to determine the child’s
eligibility, the child’s present levels, and/or the child’s special education and
related services needs.
 District completes LOWER portion of Prior Notice about
Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation. Written parent consent to evaluate is
required.
 Date of written parent consent initiates 60 school day timeline to
complete evaluation.
 Provide copy of description of any evaluation procedure or assessment
to be used in the evaluation.
 May not use any single assessment as the sole criterion to determine
eligibility.
 Release form is to be completed if necessary to obtain relevant
information (Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Education & Protected
Health Information).
 Copy of Procedural Safeguards given to the parents and reviewed with
them; document on consent for evaluation form.
Team Determines Eligibility for Special Education
Team determines eligibility of student as per OAR 581-015-2120 and OAR 581-015-2130 through 581015-2180.
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Team must include parent and two or more qualified professionals, at least one of whom is
knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and education of children with the suspected
disability.
For a child suspected of having a specific learning disability, the team must meet the requirements of
OAR 581-015-2170.
Team must prepare an evaluation report and written statement of eligibility and provide copies at no
cost to the parents.
For a child who may have disabilities in more than one category, the team need only qualify the child
under one disability category, however, the child must be evaluated in all areas related to the
suspected disabilities and the IEP must address all of the child’s special education needs.
If child is eligible, the IEP team must develop an IEP within 30 calendar days of the eligibility
determination meeting.
Signed consent for the initial provision of special education services required prior to provision of
services (Prior Notice & Consent for Initial Provision of Special Education Services).
Re-Evaluation
Re-evaluation
The district must initiate the re-evaluation process at least once every 3 years, unless the parent and
district sign a written agreement that no evaluation is necessary. OAR 581-015-2105
No Evaluation
Necessary
Evaluation Process Initiated
with Pre-Evaluation Planning
 District and parent
agree that
reevaluation is
unnecessary to
determine
continued eligibility
and to make other
determinations
regarding the
child’s IEP.
 Written
district/parent
agreement
required waiving
the 3-year reevaluation
requirement.
 Note: 60 school
day timeline does
not apply since reevaluation process
is not initiated. 3
year timelines do
apply.
Send parent Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation – only
complete UPPER portion of the form providing notice.
The evaluation process begins with a team review of existing evaluation
information, including:
 review of evaluations and information provided by the parents;
 current classroom-based, local and/or state assessments, and classroom
observations; and
 observations by teachers and related services providers.
 May conduct pre-planning review without a meeting, but parent input is
required; if meeting is conducted then parent must be invited.
When no additional
data is required



No written parent
consent to evaluate
is required.
Provide Prior
Notice of Special
Education Action of
the decision and
the reasons for it.
Notify parents of
their right to
challenge decision
not to evaluate
under OAR 581015-2345.
When additional data is require to determine
eligibility
The team identifies additional information needed to
determine the child’s eligibility, the child’s present
levels, and/or the child’s special education and related
services needs.
 District completes LOWER portion of Prior Notice
about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation. Written
parent consent to evaluate is required.
 Date of written parent consent initiates 60 school
day timeline to complete evaluation.
 Provide copy of description of any evaluation
procedure or assessment to be used in the
evaluation.
 May not use any single assessment as the sole
criterion to determine eligibility.
 Release form is to be completed if necessary to
obtain relevant information (Authorization to Use
and/or Disclose Education & Protected Health
Information).
Team Determines Eligibility for Special Education
Team determines eligibility of student as per OAR 581-015-2120 and OAR 581015-2130 through 581-015-2180.
 Team must include parent and two or more qualified professionals, at least
one of whom is knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and
education of children with the suspected disability.
 For a child suspected of having a specific learning disability, the team must
meet the requirements of OAR 581-015-2170.
 Team must prepare an evaluation report and written statement of eligibility
and provide copies at no cost to the parents.
 For a child who may have disabilities in more than one category, the team
need only qualify the child under one disability category, however, the child
must be evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disabilities and the
IEP must address all of the child’s special education needs.
 Prior Notice of Special Education Action required if the district proposes to
change the eligibility of the child.