What are the procedures for referring my child for an evaluation?
A referral may be made by anyone who has information that indicates that a child may have a disability. Referrals are made typically by teachers who recognize that a child has a difficulty, which suggest a possible disability.

Immediately after a referral is made, all available information relative to the child's suspected disability, including information from the parent and interventions made in general education, should be collected. All relevant information must be considered before determining whether additional data, such as medical information or evaluation results, are needed. This decision cannot be made by an individual teacher or administrator, but must be made by a group of people - essentially the individual who comprise the child's IEP team.

In cases where the referral has been made by the parent, the group's decision regarding evaluation must be documented in written notice to the parent regardless of the decision. If the decision is to conduct an evaluation, the school district must obtain informed written consent from the parent before proceeding with the evaluation. If the team determines that an evaluation is not warranted, appropriate written notice must also be given to the parent. The notice will include the basis for the determination and an explanation of the process followed to reach the decision.

What evaluation procedures will be used to determine if my child is eligible for special education services?
Referral information and appropriate involvement of the child's team lead to the identification of specific areas to be included in the evaluation. All areas of a suspected disability must be evaluated. In addition to determining the existence of a disability, the evaluation should also focus on the identification of the child's special education and related service needs.

An evaluation my include some or all of the following:

• individual tests
• classroom observations
• parent/student interviews
• review of records

The following areas may be evaluated depending on the suspected disability:

• achievement
• adaptive behavior
• communication skills
• hearing
• intelligence
• social/emotional functioning
• vision

When will the evaluation be completed?
No later than forty (40) school days from the time a parent/legal guardian signs permission for an evaluation, a conference will be held to discuss the evaluation results and determine eligibility for special education services.

How will I know if my child is eligible to receive special education services?
The determination of eligibility for special education services is two-pronged. After the completion of the evaluation, the IEP team meets to determine whether the evaluation results indicate the existence of a disability and whether the child exhibits a need for special education.

A copy of the evaluation report and determination of eligibility (Eligibility Report) is provided to the parents/legal guardian during this meeting.

Will my child be evaluated again?
A re-evaluation must be conducted at least every three (3) years or earlier if conditions warrant. Re-evaluations may be requested by any member of the IEP team prior to the triennial due date. Some of the reasons for requesting early re-evaluations may include:

• concerns, such as lack of progress in the special education program,
• the acquisition by an IEP team member of new information or data, or
• review and discussion of the student's continuing need for special education.

Depending on the child's needs and progress, re-evaluation may not require the administration of tests or other formal measures. However, the IEP team must thoroughly review all relevant data when determining each child's evaluation needs.

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
Parents have the right to an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense if they disagree with the evaluation completed by the school system. When a parent requests an IEE, the IEP team will meet to determine the appropriateness of the evaluation. If the IEP team determines it to be appropriate, Clinton City Schools will initiate a due process hearing to show the evaluation is appropriate. If the IEP team grants the request for an IEE, the special education supervisor will provide the parents information about where an IEE may be obtained and the evaluation criteria to be used. If the evaluation presented by the parent(s) does not meet the evaluation criteria, the parent(s) still have the right to an IEE, but not at public expense.

If the IEE meets local school system criteria, it will be considered by the IEP team in any decision made with respect to the provisions of a free and appropriate public education.

Cherokee Health Systems
207 E. Emory Rd.
Knoxville
865-947-3401

The Developmental Center
3915 Papermill Drive
Knoxville
865-584-0109

Dr. Michael Greer
813 Northshore Drive, Suite 104
Knoville, TN 37919
865-584-6838

Psychoeducational Associates
505 22^nd Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
865-546-9651

Dr. Vance Sherwood
The Westfield Center
305 Westfield Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
865-584-5932

The following disabilities qualify for special education identification in the state of Tennessee:

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness/Hearing Impairment
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disturbance
• Functionally Delayed
• Intellectually Gifted
• Mental Retardation
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Speech/language Impairment
• Specific Learning Disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment