Why assessments matter
Assessments help the team understand the student’s needs and determine eligibility, goals, services, accommodations, and placement. A strong assessment process looks beyond one concern and considers the whole student.
What to include in a request
A written request should include the student’s name, school, grade, parent concerns, suspected disability areas, examples of impact at school, and a request for assessment in all areas of suspected disability. Keep the tone factual and focused on educational needs.
Areas to consider
Depending on the student, areas may include academics, reading, writing, math, speech and language, social-emotional functioning, behavior, attention, executive functioning, sensory processing, motor skills, adaptive skills, assistive technology, and health-related access needs.
Reviewing the assessment plan
Compare the plan to your concerns. If anxiety, autism, ADHD, behavior, or school avoidance are concerns, check whether the proposed assessments actually address those areas. Ask questions before signing if something is unclear.
After assessments are completed
Read the reports before the meeting when possible. Highlight recommendations, unclear findings, missing concerns, and proposed goals. Ask how each assessment result will be used to support the student.
Independent educational evaluations
If parents disagree with a district assessment, they may ask about an Independent Educational Evaluation. The request should be written, clear, and connected to the assessment area in dispute.
Quick parent checklist
- Write down your top three concerns before the meeting.
- Save emails, reports, progress updates, and relevant records in one folder.
- Ask the school team what data supports each recommendation.
- Send a follow-up email summarizing unresolved issues and next steps.