Asking for an evaluation in Pennsylvania

What an evaluation is

A special education evaluation gathers information to answer two questions: does the student have a disability under IDEA, and does the student need special education and related services because of it. Both answers have to be yes for a student to be eligible.

An evaluation is more than one test. It should look at the areas of suspected need, which can include academics, communication, health, vision and hearing, motor skills, social and emotional functioning, and behavior.

How a request usually starts

• A parent, teacher, or other school staff member raises a concern. Parents can request an evaluation directly.
• Put the request in writing to the district, date it, and keep a copy. Email is fine and it creates a record.
• The district responds in writing about whether it will evaluate. If it declines, ask for that decision in writing along with the reasons.
• An initial evaluation requires your written consent before it can happen. Consent to evaluate is not consent to services.
• After the evaluation, the team meets to review results and decide eligibility, then writes an IEP if the student is eligible.

A simple written request

Keep it short. Name your child, the school, the concerns you see, and the ask: a full evaluation for special education eligibility. Ask for written confirmation of what happens next and by when. Send it to the principal or the district special education contact and keep a copy.

Also worth knowing

• Schools have a Child Find duty to identify students who may need services, including children not yet in school. Pennsylvania early childhood services run through the state agency and local programs.
• If you disagree with the district evaluation, ask about an independent educational evaluation. Your procedural safeguards notice explains that process.
• Private evaluations can be considered by the team, though the team is not required to adopt their conclusions.

Official sources

• Pennsylvania Department of Education: current special education and family pages.
• PEAL Center
• IDEA (U.S. Department of Education)
• Center for Parent Information and Resources

Related reading: how to request an evaluation, national guide, Pennsylvania IEP meetings, and For Parents.

Not legal advice. Not medical advice.