If your child has a specific learning disability, the identification and assessment of that disability is dictated by specific rules of analysis. If the school district believes such a diagnosis is necessary, they must ensure that a proper medical assessment is made at no cost to the parents. However, the school district may offer to assess your child in other nonmedical ways if they see other ways of measuring your child's condition and properly determine his or her educational needs and the services and supports necessary to meet them. As explained above, your child must meet the IDEA or Section 504 criteria. The school district still has a responsibility to assess your child and may be responsible to pay for a private evaluator if school staff cannot conduct the proper assessment.
School district requires parents to provide an assessment .
The school district may not charge you for an assessment or require you to obtain one at your own expense. IDEA gives your child two important assessment rights not guaranteed by Section 504. IDEA requires the school district to prepare a written assessment plan for your review and approval within 15 days of your request, and must complete its assessment within 50 days after you approve the assessment plan. IDEA also allows you to obtain an independent assessment at public expense if you do not agree with the school district's assessment. Once your child qualifies for special education and has been evaluated, he or she is entitled to receive services necessary to meet individually determined educational goals and objectives.