Did you know you, as a parent, can request a reevaluation of your child’s IEP? So often it seems that the IEP is the end of the evaluation, but the reality is that sometimes we don’t get it all right the first time. This brings to mind the old adage from Thomas Palmer’s Teacher’s Manual(1840): If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! A re-evaluation is review of the IEP at any point during the year but isn’t the same thing as the annual IEP review that is required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). A reevaluation reviews all the information available and determines if additional testing is needed.

While a school can request a reevaluation, they aren’t the only ones with this right. A parent might request a reevaluation for a variety of reasons. For example, if a particular accommodation doesn’t seem to be effective anymore or new areas of need are becoming apparent, a parent may request a reevaluation. This is because IDEA is based on the philosophy that parents are an integral part of the process; no student can be effectively helped without active participation of the parents. Transition periods are also a time when a reevaluation might be useful.

Know your rights when it comes to reevaluations. Once you communicate orally that you’d like your child to be reevaluated, the school has 10 days to send you a form for a written formal Request for Reevaluation. Once that is submitted, the district then has 60 days to complete the reevaluation and send a report of their findings to you. This must be done at least 10 days prior to the IEP meeting to discuss.

If you’ve found yourself thinking recently that something doesn’t seem to be working anymore or you have new concerns that are coming to light, don’t wait until the annual review. Consider requesting a reevaluation! If you think a reevaluation might be helpful, check out this online resource from the Peal Center: https://pealcenter.org/part-5/. Then consider calling us at 610-457-2199 or emailing us at fickeducation@gmail.com for information on how we can help walk you through the process to help your child succeed!