School Evaluations

Service Description

Deciding to have your child evaluated is a big step. You may have questions about the process. Here are some frequently asked questions about evaluations. What are the benefits of getting my child evaluated? The evaluation process can provide more information about the specific issues that are causing your child’s difficulty with learning. It’s also a way to see if your child is eligible for special education services. Having special education services can give your child extra support in the classroom, making it easier to learn the same material as the other students. Who does the evaluation? Evaluations are done by a team of professionals. Each member of the team has special knowledge and training in the area that’s being assessed. For example, a speech-language therapist has specialized training in language issues. A psychologist is trained in administering educational testing. The team works together to look at all of your child’s skills. Who pays for the evaluation? If your child is referred for special education evaluation at school, the school is required to pay for it. If the school agrees that there’s evidence of a “suspected disability,” the school district must do a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the trouble areas identified. You may also choose to have private testing done. But under most circumstances, this is not something your child’s school will pay for.