A Family Guide to School Evaluations

Plain-language help for parents in Oregon and Washington.

Navigating school evaluations can feel like learning a new language. This guide covers the basics so you can walk into your next meeting feeling prepared.

The terms you'll hear

Evaluation: the process of learning how your child learns, pays attention and functions at school.

Eligibility: the school team's decision about whether your child qualifies for special education.

Individualized Education Program (IEP): the written plan for a student who qualifies for special education.

Section 504 plan: a plan for accommodations when a student has a disability but may not need special education.

Independent educational evaluation: an evaluation by a qualified professional who doesn't work for the school district.

How to read a school evaluation

Start with the summary, then the scores, then the recommendations.

Check that it answers your question. If you wanted to know why reading is hard, does the report say?

Look for specifics: what support, how often, who provides it and where.

Notice what doesn't match what you see at home or hear from your child's teacher.

Ask for a copy of everything, including the scores, before the meeting.

Questions to ask at the meeting

What questions was this evaluation designed to answer?

Which tests and observations did you use, and why?

Does the report describe my child's strengths, not just the difficulties?

What supports are recommended, and who will deliver them?

How will we know if the supports are working, and when do we review?

What happens if my child changes schools?

If I disagree with the evaluation, what are my options?

If you disagree

Parents generally have the right to ask for an independent evaluation, and the school team must consider a private evaluation you share with them. The rules differ by state, so check with the sources below.