special education evaluations
Social Assessment
WHAT – A meeting where the school psychologist or social worker explains the special education process, reviews due process rights, and requests consent to evaluate the student from the child’s parent. Once consent is obtained, the social worker completes the social history by asking a series of questions about the child’s development and medical history, the family’s background and composition, and the student’s educational history, including parental concerns.
WHY – Gives parents information they need to make an informed decision about consenting to special education evaluations, and helps schools determine the nature of a student’s disability and make appropriate referrals for additional evaluations, as necessary.
WHEN – The first evaluation administered after a child is referred for special education services. No other special education evaluation may occur until the parent has given consent for evaluations at the social history. The school psychologist or social worker should update the social history whenever a student is referred for new evaluations, including at triennials.*
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