Reevaluation and Exit

A student's eligibility is not permanent. Reevaluation determines whether the student continues to meet eligibility criteria, whether changes to the IEP are needed, and — at the end of the journey — what documentation must accompany the student out of special education.

• IDEA — reevaluations (Section 1414(c))

• 34 CFR Part 300 — reevaluation regulations (300.303–300.311)

• Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9

Reevaluation begins with a review of existing data. Convene the IEP Team — using the Notice and Invitation to a Meeting/Consent for Agency Participation — to review existing information and determine what additional evaluative data, if any, are needed to determine continued eligibility.

The team's decision is documented on the Notice of IEP Team's Decision Regarding Reevaluation: either additional data are needed, or no additional data are needed. The "Basis for Decision" section must reflect the data used to make that determination — evaluations, assessments, records, and reports used (grades, state assessments, work samples, observations, discipline records, attendance, interviews, and others). Do not leave it blank.

If additional data are needed, the LEA must provide the parent a Notice of IEP Team's Decision Regarding Reevaluation and obtain the Notice and Consent for Reevaluation. Evaluation may proceed once consent is obtained, or once two documented attempts to obtain consent have been made and the parent has not responded. If the parent checks "I do not give permission," the process stops — refer to the process chart options in Mastering the Maze.

The reevaluation concludes with a new Notice and Eligibility Decision Regarding Special Education Services, provided to the parent with the evaluation data. If the student is no longer eligible, the student is referred back to the PST.

At exit, every student who graduates with an Alabama High School Diploma or exceeds the age of eligibility for FAPE (age 21) must receive a Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (SAAFP). The SAAFP documents academic achievement and functional performance, the pathway to the diploma, successful accommodations, and recommendations for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living — completed with the student's own input wherever possible, using the statewide form.

Exiting students may also be contacted the year after exit for the Alabama Post-School Outcomes Survey, which measures how former students are meeting their post-school goals and helps schools improve transition services.

• The reevaluation conducted without the required Notice of IEP Team's Decision Regarding Reevaluation

• The "Basis for Decision" section left blank

• Additional evaluation conducted without consent and without two documented contact attempts

• SAAFP not completed for a student exiting with a diploma or aging out