Special Education Evaluation & Eligibility

The State Board of Education has approved the revised disability definitions and standards (i.e., the required evaluation procedures and evaluation participants). The changes are now effective as of July 1, 2017. The “Disability Evaluation and Eligibility” section below provides links to past and updated definitions and standards. A comparison document of disability standards can be found here.

For initial evaluations, if consent is obtained on or after July 1, the school district must follow the new evaluation standards. For students who are being re-evaluated, the team should not automatically assume a comprehensive re-evaluation is needed due to a change in disability standards. The student’s previous eligibility should be honored, and the team should follow the normal re-evaluation procedures for determining assessment needs.

Vision-Hearing Screening & General Education Interventions Prior to Referral DOC PDF

• Autism
  • Autism Assessment Documentation
  • Autism Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • D-B Assessment Documentation
  • D-B Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • Deafness Assessment Documentation
  • Deafness Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • DD Assessment Documentation
  • DD Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • EMD Assessment Documentation
  • EMD Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • FD Assessment Documentation
  • FD Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • HI Assessment Documentation
  • Deafness Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • I D Assessment Documentation
  • I D Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • IG Assessment Documentation
  • IG Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • MD Assessment Documentation
  • OI Assessment Documentation
  • OI Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • OHI Assessment Documentation
  • OHI Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • RTI2 Manual
  • SLD Assessment Documentation Form
    
  • Specific Learning Disability Evaluation and Eligibility Considerations
    
  • Five Tips for Avoiding Procedural Violations with RTI 2
  • PPT: Tips for Avoiding Procedural Violations within Tennessee’s RTI² Framework
    
  • SLI Assessment Documentation
    
  • SLI Evaluation Report Template
    
  • Preschool Speech-Language: Parent & Caregiver Checklist
  • Speech or Language Impairment Evalution Guidance
  • Language Severity Rating Scale
  • TBI Assessment Documentation
  • TBI Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • VI Assessment Documentation
  • VI Evaluation Guidance DOCPDF
  • Manifestation Determination Review Form
  • Manifestation Determination - Instructional Guidance
  • English as a Second Language Program Guide
    
  • Ethnographic Interview for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
    

  English

  • Medical Information Form
  • Notice and Consent for Initial Assessment (revised 8/08)
  • Notice of Procedural Safeguards
  • Prior Written Notice (revised 8/2020)
  • Release of Information
  • Student Referral for Special Education DOCPDF
  • Instructions - Student Referral DOCPDF
  • TN Assessment Instrument Selection Form

  Spanish

  • Eligibility Report
  • Explanation of Evaluation Procedures (revised 8/08)
  • Notice and Consent for Initial Assessment (revised 8/08)
  • Notice of Procedural Safeguards 3/9/21
  • Prior Written Notice 8/08
  • Student Referral for Special Education DOCPDF
  • Instructions - Student Referral DOCPDF
  • Blank Re-evaluation Summary Report
  • Blank Re-evaluation Summary Report - Spanish

  Observations

  • Parent DOCPDF / Span PDF
  • Classroom Teacher DOCPDF
  • Special Education Teacher DOCPDF
  • Related Services Provider DOCPDF
  • Considerations for Ruling Out Lack of Instruction
    
  • Ethnographic Interview for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
    
  • 60 Calendar Day Initial Evaluation Timeline Rule Change and Timeline Extension Requests
  • End of Year Report for Gifted (Table 7) and Gifted Screenings
  • IDEA Eligibility Determinations for Students with Suspected Cognitive Impairments
  • Timeline Requirements for Children Referred by Part C (TEIS)
  • Considerations for Ruling Out Lack of Instruction for Specific Learning Disability(SLD) Evaluation and Identification
    
  • TN. Association of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists - TAASLP
  • TN Association of School Psychologists - TASP

  The Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville (TSD), the West Tennessee School for the Deaf (WTSD) in Jackson and the Tennessee School for The Blind in Nashville (TSB) are making resources, personnel expertise, and facilities available to assist local school systems in evaluating students with complex or severe hearing and/or vision disabilities. Evaluation and consultation services are available for LEAs that lack appropriate specialists to provide adequate evaluations and/or that require assistance in providing appropriate intervention.

  There is no charge for the evaluation or consultation services to the local school system. Evaluations must be requested by the supervisor of special education or the superintendent of the local school system. Cottages are available at each campus for housing when overnight stays are required.

  The scope of the evaluation will be determined by an agreement between the State Special School and the local school system. The evaluation will pertain to visual and/or auditory disabilities and may include orientation and mobility, functional vision and/or hearing, recommendations for assistive services and devices, general health or specific medical examinations, and other areas as warranted.

  Contact information:

  • TN School for the Blind Phone - (615) 231-7300 Fax (615) 871-9312.
  • TN School for the Deaf Phone - (865 ) 579-2441 Fax (865) 579-2484.
  • West TN School for the Deaf Phone - (731) 423-5705 Fax (731) 423-6470.