<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 13A.05.01.06" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Evaluation, Reevaluation, and Eligibility.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Initial Evaluation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An IEP team shall complete an initial evaluation of a student, consistent with 34 CFR §300.301(c)(1), within:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>60 days of parental consent for assessments in accordance with Regulation.13A of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>90 days of the public agency receiving a written referral in accordance with Regulation .04A of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Exception to the Time Line for Completion of Initial Evaluation.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The time line for completion of the initial evaluation described in §A(1) of this regulation does not apply, in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §1414(a)(1)(C)(ii), if:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The parent of the student repeatedly fails or refuses to produce the student for assessments; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A student enrolls in a different public agency before the completion of the initial evaluation started in the student's former public agency of enrollment.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The exceptions to the time line described in §A(2) of this regulation apply only if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The subsequent public agency is making sufficient progress to ensure a prompt completion of the evaluation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The parent and subsequent public agency agree to a specific time for completion of the evaluation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A public agency shall convene an IEP team meeting to determine if a child in transition from a local infants and toddlers program has a disability or developmental delay that requires the provision of special education and related services, in accordance with COMAR 13A.13.01.09B(10).</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Review of Assessment Information.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>To conduct an evaluation, the IEP team shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Draw on information from a variety of sources, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Existing data;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Current classroom-based, local, and Statewide assessments;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Parent input; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Observations by teachers and related service providers; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Carefully consider and document information used as a basis of the team's decision.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Evaluation Report.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The IEP team shall document its decision.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The written decision shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Information provided by the parent;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Results of assessment procedures used as a basis for determination;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A statement as to whether the assessment procedures were valid for the purposes intended and valid for the student; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Whether the student is a student with a disability.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The IEP team may not determine that a student is a student with a disability if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The determinant factor for the determination is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The lack of appropriate instruction in reading, defined in §1208(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, including explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency and oral reading skill, and reading comprehension strategies;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A lack of instruction in math; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Limited English proficiency; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The student does not otherwise meet the criteria specified in 34 CFR §300.8.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The IEP team shall provide the parent with a copy of the IEP team decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Determination of an SLD.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In determining whether a student has an SLD, consistent with 20 U.S.C. §1414(b)(6) and 34 CFR §300.307, a public agency:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>May use a process that determines whether a student responds to scientific research-based interventions as part of assessment procedures, as described in 20 U.S.C. §1414(b)(2) and (3) and in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May use alternative research-based procedures for determining whether a student has a specific learning disability; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>May not be required to use a severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and achievement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The IEP team shall determine that a student has an SLD if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The student does not achieve adequately for the student's age or meet State-approved grade level standards when provided with learning experiences appropriate for the student's age and ability levels in one or more of the following areas:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Oral expression;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Listening comprehension;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Basic reading skills;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Reading fluency skills;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Reading comprehension;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Written expression;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Mathematics calculation; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Mathematics problem solving; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The student's lack of achievement described in §D(2) of this regulation is not primarily the result of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A visual, hearing, or motor impairment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Intellectual disability;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Emotional disability;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Cultural factors;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Limited English proficiency.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The IEP team may consider evaluative data and appropriate assessments, consistent with 34 CFR §§300.304 and 300.305, if the team determines that data to be relevant to the identification of an SLD if the student:</text>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Does not make sufficient progress to meet age or State-approved grade-level standards in one or more of the areas identified in §D(2) of this regulation, when using a process based on the student's response to scientific research-based intervention; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(ii)">
        <text>Exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, State-approved grade-level standards, or intellectual development.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>To ensure that underachievement in a student suspected of having a specific learning disability is not due to lack of appropriate instruction in reading or math, the IEP team shall consider, as part of the evaluation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Data that demonstrate that prior to, or as a part of, the referral process, the child was provided appropriate instruction in regular education settings, delivered by qualified personnel; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Data-based documentation of repeated assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, reflecting formal assessment of student progress during instruction, that was provided to the student's parent.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>When a student is suspected of having an SLD, the IEP team shall prepare a written report that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A statement of whether the student has a specific learning disability;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The basis for making the determination;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The relevant behaviors, if any, noted during the observation of the student;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The relationship of the behaviors to the student's academic functioning;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The educationally relevant medical findings, if any;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>The determination of the IEP team concerning the effects of visual, hearing, or motor disability, intellectual disability, emotional disability, cultural factors, environmental or economic disadvantage, or limited English proficiency on the student's achievement level;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>If the student participated in a process to assess the student's response to scientific, research-based intervention as described in §D(1) of this regulation, the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Instructional strategies used and the student-centered data collected;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Documentation that the student's parents were notified of the Department's policies regarding the amount and nature of student performance data that would be collected and the general education services that would be provided;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Strategies for increasing the student's rate of learning; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Parents' right to request an evaluation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>The written certification of each IEP team member as to whether the written report reflects the member's conclusion.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If the written report in §D(5) of this regulation does not reflect an IEP team member's conclusion, the team member shall submit a separate statement presenting the team member's conclusion.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The determination of an SLD shall be made by an IEP team as described in Regulation .07A of this chapter and include at least one person qualified to conduct individual diagnostic assessments of students in accordance with 34 CFR §300.308(b) and Regulation.05 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Reevaluation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A public agency shall ensure that a reevaluation of each student with a disability is conducted in accordance with 34 CFR §§300.303 and 300.305 and Regulation .05 of this chapter:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the public agency determines that the educational and related services needs, including improved academic achievement and functional performance of the student, warrant reevaluation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the student's parent or teacher requests a reevaluation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Before determining a student is no longer a student with a disability.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In accordance with 34 CFR §300.303(b), a reevaluation shall occur:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Not more frequently than once a year, unless the parent and public agency agree otherwise; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>At least once every 3 years, unless the parent and public agency agree that a reevaluation is not necessary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The IEP team shall review existing assessment data in accordance with §C of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>On the basis of the review, and input from the student's parents, the IEP team shall identify what additional data, if any, is needed to determine:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Whether the student continues to be a student with a disability;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The educational needs of the student;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The present levels of academic achievement and related developmental needs of the student;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Whether additions or modifications to special education and related services are needed to enable the student to meet the measurable annual goals in the student's IEP and to participate in the general curriculum; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Whether the student continues to need special education and related services.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If the IEP team determines the need for additional data, the public agency shall conduct assessment procedures in accordance with Regulation .05B of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The results of assessment procedures shall be used by the IEP team in reviewing, and, as appropriate, revising the student's IEP in accordance with Regulation .08B of this chapter within 90 days of the IEP team meeting as described in §E(4) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The IEP team shall notify the parents, in accordance with Regulation .12B of this chapter, if the IEP team determines that no additional data is needed to determine:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Whether the student with a disability continues to be a student with a disability; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The student's educational needs.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The notification described in §E(7) of this regulation shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The decision of the IEP team and the basis of the determination; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The right of the parents to request a public agency to conduct assessment procedures to determine:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Whether the child continues to be a student with a disability; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Their child's educational needs.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>A public agency shall conduct assessment procedures in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter before determining that a student is no longer a student with a disability.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>A public agency is not required to conduct assessment procedures:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Unless requested to do so by the student's parent; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Before the termination of a student's eligibility in accordance with this chapter due to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Graduation from secondary school with a regular high school diploma; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Exceeding the age of eligibility for FAPE in accordance with Regulation .01 of this chapter.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>On termination of a student's eligibility for services, in accordance with COMAR 13A.03.02 and as described in §E(10)(b) of this regulation, a public agency shall provide the student with a summary of the student's academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting the student's postsecondary goals, in the Exit Document, in accordance with 34 CFR §300.305(e)(3).</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>A public agency shall consolidate a reevaluation meeting with other IEP team meetings for a student with a disability to the extent possible.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>