< Back to Exceptional Student Services

To determine whether a child is eligible to receive special education and related services, schools must conduct a full and individual evaluation to determine whether a child is or continues to be a child with a disability under the IDEA. The evaluation must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team (MET), including the IEP team members and other qualified professionals.

In Arizona, initial evaluations and re-evaluations must be completed within 60 calendar days. The 60-day evaluation timeline begins on the date the school receives the parent’s informed written consent and concludes on the date of the MET’s determination of eligibility—a decision as to whether the child is or is not a child with a disability. 

In conducting an evaluation, schools are required to assess the child in all areas of suspected disability, using a variety of assessment tools and strategies—not just a single measure or assessment—that provide relevant information for determining whether the child is a child with a disability and the appropriate educational program for the child. The evaluation must be sufficiently comprehensive to identify the child’s special education and related service needs, whether or not commonly linked to the disability category in which the child has been determined eligible (Gregson & Chavez, 2018).

Every three years, the Individualized Education Plan Team reviews a student's eligibility to determine if additional data is needed to re-determine eligibility. During the meeting, the team will present current data reflecting the student’s academic and behavioral progress in the educational setting. The data may include but is not limited to classroom-based testing, current state and/or district assessments, current attendance, and current discipline records. The team discussion is provided to parents in written format. A prior written notice outlines the eligibility of services the student will qualify for and whether additional testing is necessary.