Best practices for re-testing

							Best Practices for Reevaluation




  Exceptional Children and Intervention Services

                  Convocation
                August 22, 2007
Reevaluation vs. Re-testing

   Reevaluation is the process to
    consider the appropriateness of a
    student’s classification. This may
    include reviewing existing data or
    collecting new data or both.

   Re-Testing is collecting new data to
    consider the student’s classification.
Re-testing is expensive!

   Contract Psychologist’s fee
   School Resources
   Student time
   Parent time
   Teacher time
   Administrative time
Re-Testing Can Have
         Unexpected Results!

   Every time a student is re-tested,
    he/she may not meet the criteria for
    special services eligibility.

   Failing to meet eligibility
    requirements leads to dismissal
    from special services.
Required for Special Services

   Meet eligible disability definition
   Negative impact on academic
    performance
   Need for specially designed
    instruction



                  MUST HAVE ALL THREE
Re-testing:

   Not to be avoided without cause



   Not to be undertaken lightly and
    without just cause
When should we re-test?

   Parental request

   Ask, “What do want to happen
    because of new data?”
   Most parental concerns can be
    addressed through the IEP.
   Try to encourage a new or amended
    IEP rather than re-testing.
When should we re-test?

   Confirm classification

   IDEA no longer requires TESTING
    every three years.
   NCDPI STRONGLY recommends that
    a student be re-tested at least once
    to confirm the classification.
When should we re-test?

   Request of Judge or Court order

   Our only response:


      “Yes, your Honor!”
When should we re-test?

   College-bound Seniors

   Many colleges and universities
    require a recent psychological
    evaluation in order to provide
    services at the college level.
   Try to schedule these for second
    semester of 12th grade.
When should we re-test?
   Compelling reason to believe that
    the student is ready to leave special
    services.

   Student is mainstreamed with
    minimal special support.
   Student is making “As” and “Bs.”
   Student is making “4s” on the
    EOC/EOGs.
What this means for your students?

   Most students will be tested & re-
    tested in elementary school and/or
    in middle school (depending on
    original placement).
What this means for your students?

   If the scores at initial and re-test
    are similar, then further re-testing
    may not be necessary.

   If scores are not similar or support
    different classifications, then further
    re-testing may be warranted at the
    student’s next anniversary.
What this means for your students?

   Developmentally Delayed (DD)
    students usually have no
    compelling reason to retest until the
    second semester of 2nd grade.
Questions?
Contact Information


Toni Braswell
School Psychologist
Lenoir County Public Schools
tbraswell@lenoir.k12.nc.us
ECIS Central Office @ Rochelle
 252-286-6562
 252-527-6498 FAX