Special Education Assessment
The Student Assistance Team can refer a student for the special education assessment process. Once a student is referred for testing, parental consent must be obtained. No assessment can be completed without parental consent. Law states that the assessment process can take no longer than 45 school days for school-aged students (Pre-K to 12) and 45 calendar days for children ages birth- 3 years of age. Assessment will be conducted in the area(s) of need for the student which may include cognitive assessments (IQ or ability), academic assessments, adaptive assessments, socio-emotional assessments, gross/fine motor assessment, speech/language assessment, vision, and hearing assessments. In addition to these assessments, classroom observations will take place, the student's school records will be reviewed, parent(s)/guardians and teachers may be asked to complete short interviews or checklists. Parent(s)/guardians are also encouraged to share results from any private evaluations from physicians, therapists, private psychologists, or any other related professionals.
Once the assessment process is complete, a report will be written about the assessment results. An MDT or Multidisciplinary Team will meet in order to decide if the student qualifies for special education services based on the verification guidelines in 13 disability categories. This team includes a general education teacher of your student, special education teacher, district representative, school psychologist, and other professionals who have completed assess such as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist. Parent(s)/guardians and other significant family members are considered a part of the MDT and will be invited to attend the meeting.
Once the assessment process is complete, a report will be written about the assessment results. An MDT or Multidisciplinary Team will meet in order to decide if the student qualifies for special education services based on the verification guidelines in 13 disability categories. This team includes a general education teacher of your student, special education teacher, district representative, school psychologist, and other professionals who have completed assess such as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist. Parent(s)/guardians and other significant family members are considered a part of the MDT and will be invited to attend the meeting.
13 Disability Categories
These categories include: autism, deaf-blindness, behavior disorder*, developmental delay, hearing impairment, mental handicap*, multiple impairments, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech-language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment.
*Please note: The verifications of Mental Handicap and Behavior Disorder are changing to Intellectual Disability and Emotional Disturbance. New verification guidelines and documentation will be available soon.
*Please note: The verifications of Mental Handicap and Behavior Disorder are changing to Intellectual Disability and Emotional Disturbance. New verification guidelines and documentation will be available soon.
When a student qualifies for special education
When a student is determined to qualify for special education services, an IEP or Individualized Education Program, will be written. An IEP is a document that details the specific individualized instruction and accommodations a student will receive based on his or her area of need. This meeting may take place right after the MDT meeting or at a later date. Parent(s)/Guardians and educators meet to discuss what a student needs in order to be successful in his or her environment. Additionally, progress goals are written for students. A yearly IEP meeting will take place in order to discuss progress and any changes to the IEP that should be made. After three years of special education services, a student will be re-evaluated in order to determine if he or she still qualifies for these services.
When a student does not qualify for special education
If a student does not qualify for special education, the MDT will discuss any inventions and accommodations that will help the student succeed in the general education classroom. Interventions and supports will be provided to the student in the general education classroom. The student's progress towards his or her goals will be monitored.
Parental Rights
Parents have rights within the special education system. Here is a copy of the Nebraska Parental Rights in Special Education. Both the English and Spanish version are available. If you have any questions about your parental rights in special education, please contact Allison Nields.