CRITERION NUMBER Legal Standard SE 11 School district response to parental request for independent educational evaluation If a parent disagrees with an initial evaluation or re-evaluation completed by the school district, and the parent requests an independent educational evaluation, the district implements the following requirements: All independent educational evaluations funded by the district are conducted by qualified persons who are registered, certified, licensed or otherwise approved and who abide by the rates set by the state agency responsible for setting such rates. Unique circumstances of the child are justified when an individual assessment rate is higher than that normally allowed. The school district has procedures to offer parents the option of participating in an income eligibility program for free or reduced cost independent educational evaluations that are equivalent to the types of assessments done by the school district. The district extends the right to a publicly funded independent educational evaluation (only if cost shared or funded for state wards or for students receiving free or reduced cost lunch) for sixteen (16) months from the date of the evaluation with which the parent disagrees. If the parent is requesting an evaluation in an area not assessed by the school district, or if the student does not meet or the parent does not choose to share the financial documentation regarding the income eligibility standards for free or reduced cost independent educational evaluation, then the school district responds in accordance with the requirements of federal law by paying for the independent educational evaluation or, within five school days, proceeding to Special Education Appeals to show that its evaluation was comprehensive and appropriate. Where the Department’s Special Education Appeals finds that the school district’s evaluation was comprehensive and appropriate, the school district does not pay for the independent educational evaluation requested by the parent. Whenever possible, the independent educational evaluation is completed and a written report sent no later than thirty (30) days after the date the parent requests the independent educational evaluation. If publicly funded, the report is sent to the parents and to the school district. The independent evaluator’s report summarizes, in writing, procedures, assessments, results, and diagnostic impressions as well as educationally relevant recommendations for meeting identified needs of the student. The independent evaluator recommends appropriate types of placements but does not recommend specific classrooms or schools. Within ten (10) school days from the time the school district receives the report of the independent educational evaluation, the Team reconvenes and considers
Progress report information sent to parents includes written information on the student’s progress toward the annual goals in the IEP. Where a student’s eligibility terminates because the student has graduated from secondary school or exceeded the age of eligibility, the school district provides the student with a summary of his or her academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting his or her postsecondary goals. State Requirements Federal Requirements 603 CMR 28.07(3) 34 CFR 300.305(e)(3); 300.320(a)(3) Rating: Implemented District Response Required: No CRITERION NUMBER Legal Standard SE 14 Review and revision of IEPs At least annually, on or before the anniversary date of the IEP, a Team meeting is held to consider the student’s progress and to review, revise, or develop a new IEP or refer the student for a re-evaluation, as appropriate. Amendments to the IEP. In between annual IEP meetings the district and parent may agree to make changes to a student’s IEP, documented in writing, without convening a meeting of the Team. Upon request, a parent is provided with a revised copy of the IEP with the amendments incorporated. State Requirements Federal Requirements 603 CMR 28.04(3) 34 CFR 300.324(a)(4), (6) and (b) Rating: Implemented District Response Required: No CRITERION NUMBER SPECIAL EDUCATION II. STUDENT IDENTIFICATION AND PLACEMENT Legal Standard SE 15 Outreach by the School District (Child Find) The district has annual or more frequent outreach and continuous liaison with those groups below from which promotion or transfer of students in need of special