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IDEA 2004 made an important change to the requirement for reevaluations when terminating special education services. Reevaluations were generally required in order to determine that special education and related services are no longer needed. Now, under IDEA 2004, when a student graduates with a regular diploma or reaches the maximum age for receiving special education services as set by the state (turning 22 years of age in most cases), the school district is not required to perform a reevaluation. Instead, the school district must now provide a summary of the student's academic and functional performance. This summary of performance must include recommendations for helping the student meet his or her goals after high school.
The summary of performance is a description of your child's academic achievement and functional performance that includes recommendations to assist him or her in meeting postsecondary goals. The summary may include the information and documentation of your child's abilities and disabilities that will be necessary to access supports and services in post-school activities, such as higher education. It should provide specific, meaningful and understandable information to your child, your family, and any agency, including postsecondary schools, that may provide services to your child after high school.
Your child will want to check with the Disability Services Office at postsecondary schools and with community services agencies to identify any specific information or documentation needed to qualify for support services.
While schools are not required to conduct any new tests or evaluations in order to provide the summary of performance, you and your child should work with the school so that the information provided will be adequate to satisfy the disability documentation required to qualify him or her as a person with a disability under other federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The IEP team should discuss what needs to be included in your child's summary of performance prior to termination of special education services. You should bring up this topic if it has not already been addressed by the IEP team. It is important to ensure that the information provided in the summary will satisfy any requirements connected with your child's post-school goals. You and your child should specifically request any needed information that is not provided.
Use the Summary Of Performance Checklist to review the summary proposed by your child's school. The specific information that must be included in your child's summary of performance will vary by state, so be sure to become familiar with your state's requirements by contacting your Parent Training and Information Center.Table of Contents
- An Overview of IDEA Parent Guide
- Chapter 1: Pre-Referral Services
- Chapter 2: Response-to-Intervention
- Chapter 3: Referral/Request for Evaluation
- Chapter 4: Procedural Safeguards — Understanding and Exercising Your Legal Rights
- Chapter 5: Evaluation: Learning More About Your Child
- Chapter 6: Eligibility Determination: Determining Your Child's Need for Special Education
- Chapter 7: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — Developing Your Child's Education Plan
- Chapter 8: Transition — Planning Your Child's Future Success
- Chapter 9: Students in Private School: Understanding Your Child's Special Education Options
- Chapter 10: Student Discipline — Addressing Serious Behavior Issues and Concerns
- Chapter 11: Dispute Resolution Options — Understanding Your Options for Settling Disputes
Note: The IDEA Parent Guide was created to provide a basic understanding of the key requirements of the federal law under IDEA. The information presented here is not legal advice and should not be used as a legal resource.
About the Author: Candace Cortiella is Director of The Advocacy Institute, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities through public policy and other initiatives. The mother of a young adult with learning disabilities, she lives in the Washington, D.C., area.
