If the school suspects a student has a disability, then parental notice is given and an individual evaluation is conducted. The following are some considerations for meeting 504 evaluation requirements:
- The school could use special education evaluation staff or other evaluators as assigned. Determination of who will conduct the evaluation should be made by the school administrator. The evaluation team must be knowledgeable about the student and the suspected disability, and be familiar with the evaluation data and placement options;
- Each evaluation should be tailored to the specific needs of the student.
- The parents need to be notified before the evaluation is conducted. Consent is not required, but is considered best practice;
- Tests and other evaluation materials should be validated for the specific purpose for which they are used and administered by trained personnel in conformance with the instructions provided by their producer;
- Tests and other evaluation materials include those tailored to assess specific areas of educational need;
- Tests are selected to ensure that when a test is administered to a student with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the results accurately reflect whatever the test is designed to measure;
- In interpreting evaluation of data and in making placement or accommodation decisions, a school should draw upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, interest inventories, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior; and
- A reevaluation should be conducted before making any significant change in placement. A reevaluation procedure consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Act is one means of meeting this requirement.
