Are you the parent of a young child that is concerned that your child may have a disability?
Have you been told by disability educators that your child does not qualify for special education
services? This article will discuss the criteria that school personnel must use, by law to
determine if a child is eligible for special education services.

In order for a child to be found eligible they must meet two criteria, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):

1. The child must have a disability, and

2. The child must have educational needs.

In order for special education personnel to determine if a child is eligible, they must conduct a psychological evaluation called a Case Study Evaluation (CSE) on the child. Below is a list of important things parents must know about the CSE:

a. The parent must give written consent for this to be done.

b. School personnel have sixty days from when the parental
consent is signed, to finish evaluation.

c. More than one assessment tool must be used; to gather
all of the academic, developmental, functional, information needed to
determine if the child has a disability.

d. The child must be assessed in all areas of suspected disability.

e. They must use assessment tools that provide important information
that assists them in determining the child’s educational needs.

After the Case Study Evaluation is complete an eligibility meeting is
held. The meeting is to go over the test results, and see if the two criteria for eligibility are
met. The parent is to be an equal part of the team that determines if a child has a disability,
and if they have educational needs. Parents may bring information on
their child to help the team make the decision.

If a child has a disability and educational needs, and does not
receive special education services, their lives may be negatively
affected. By knowing what criteria disability educators are
required to use by law, you can become an effective advocate for your
child.

By: JoAnn Collins