Reevaluation Process Overview

A reevaluation is conducted after a student has been initially identified as a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While it follows the same legal requirements as an initial evaluation, the reevaluation process is individualized and focused on the student’s current needs rather than repeating all initial procedures.

The purpose of a reevaluation is to determine:

• Whether the student continues to be eligible as a student with a disability;
• Whether the student continues to require special education and related services;
• The student’s current educational needs and present levels of performance; and
• Whether any changes are needed to the student’s IEP to support progress and access to the general education curriculum.

Reevaluations must occur:

• At least once every three years (triennial), unless the district and parent agree otherwise;
• When conditions warrant or when requested by a parent or teacher;
• No more than once per year unless agreed upon by both the district and parent.

The process begins with a Reevaluation Review conducted by the IEP team, where existing data is reviewed to determine whether additional information is needed. This review ensures that decisions are based on a comprehensive understanding of the student, including input from parents, classroom performance, assessments, and observations.

Based on this review, the team may:

• Determine that no additional data is needed and proceed with eligibility decisions;
• Identify the need for additional data and obtain consent to conduct further assessments;
• Consider eligibility under a new disability category; or
• Determine that the student is no longer eligible for special education services.

Throughout the process, the district must:

• Provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) for decisions made;
• Obtain informed parental consent before conducting additional assessments (when required);
• Ensure meaningful parent participation; and
• Follow all IDEA procedural safeguards, including dispute resolution options if disagreements arise.

The reevaluation process is essential to ensuring that services remain appropriate, responsive, and aligned with the student’s evolving needs. The sections that follow outline each step of this process in detail.

The Revaluation process typically includes:

• A Reevaluation Review/Planning Meeting
• An Eligibility Determination
• Writing a new IEP or Amending the current IEP

Reminder: Students served under the classification of Developmental Delay, must have a reevaluation completed prior to their 9th birthday.

When a Reevaluation Is Not Required

A reevaluation is not required under the following circumstances:

• Graduation with a Regular Diploma
  
  • A reevaluation is not required prior to the termination of a student’s eligibility due to graduation with a regular high school diploma.
  • The District must provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) to document the change in placement.


• Exceeding Age of Eligibility for FAPE
  
  • A reevaluation is not required when a student exits special education due to exceeding the age of eligibility for a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
  • In South Carolina, this occurs at the end of the school year in which the student turns 21.


• Mutual Agreement That Reevaluation Is Not Needed
  
  • A reevaluation is not required if the District and the parent/guardian/adult student agree that a reevaluation is unnecessary.
  • This agreement must be appropriately documented.
  • This agreement applies to situations outside of the required triennial reevaluation timeline.
  • The IEP team must still conduct a Reevaluation Review at least once every three years to consider whether a reevaluation is needed, in accordance with IDEA requirements.

These circumstances ensure that reevaluations are conducted when necessary to support educational decision-making and are not required when eligibility termination or mutual agreement makes the process unnecessary.

The procedural workflow below, developed by the South Carolina Department of Education, gives an overview of the Reevaluation process.