Reevaluation

A reevaluation is a fresh assessment of your child's disability, needs, and continued eligibility for special education. Children change, and so do their needs, so the law requires a reevaluation at least once every three years — often called the triennial — unless you and the school agree it is not necessary. It can also happen sooner if conditions warrant it or if you or a teacher request one.

A reevaluation does not always mean the full battery of tests again. The team first reviews existing information — recent progress, current evaluations, your input — and decides what new testing, if any, is needed to answer the open questions. Sometimes little new data is required; other times a full look is warranted, especially if your child's situation has shifted or the last picture is out of date.

This is a checkpoint you can use. If you feel the current IEP is built on an old or incomplete understanding of your child, a reevaluation can update it, and you can request one in writing. The school generally needs your consent to do new testing. Its results can confirm eligibility, reveal new needs, or, in some cases, support moving a child out of services — so stay involved in what gets assessed.