<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 13A.13.01.05" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="13" chapter_num="01" heading="Evaluation and Assessment.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Evaluation Procedures.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A local lead agency shall ensure:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A child receives a timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation, consistent with 34 CFR §§303.321, 303.322, and 303.420(a)(2);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A parent provides consent before conducting each evaluation and assessment of a child, consistent with 34 CFR §303.321(1) and Regulation .12 of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Evaluations are administered by qualified personnel.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In conducting an evaluation, no single procedure may be used as the sole criterion for determining a child’s eligibility.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Procedures shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Administering an evaluation instrument;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Taking the child’s history, including interviewing the parent;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Identifying the child’s level of functioning in each of the developmental areas identified in Regulation .03B(12) of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Gathering information from other sources such as family members, other caregivers, medical providers, social workers, and educators to understand the full scope of the child’s unique strengths and needs, if necessary, as required in 34 CFR §303.420(a)(1); and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Reviewing medical, educational, and other records.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Evaluations and assessments of a child must be conducted in the native language of the child, unless clearly not feasible to do so.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Nondiscrimination. Local lead agencies shall conduct nondiscriminatory evaluation and assessment of children and families, consistent with 34 CFR §303.321(a)(4).</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Written Report.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The written report shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A statement of the child's current health status based on a review of pertinent records and medical history;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A statement which describes the child's levels of functioning in each developmental area and the dates of the evaluation and assessment procedures;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A statement of criteria, including tests, evaluation materials, and informed clinical opinion; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The signatures and titles of the qualified personnel who administered the evaluation and assessment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Written reports of evaluations and assessments described in §C(1) of this regulation shall be included in the child’s early intervention record to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Document the results of evaluations and assessments conducted by qualified personnel; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Determine initial eligibility of a child referred for evaluation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Individuals who may have the opportunity to participate in the multidisciplinary evaluation process may include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The child's parent or parents;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Other family members; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The interim service coordinator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Eligibility Determination.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Qualified personnel directly involved in the diagnosis of the child or in conducting the evaluation and assessment of the child shall determine the child's eligibility for early intervention services by comparing evaluation results with the criteria for an infant or toddler with a disability as defined in Regulation .03B(29) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Qualified personnel shall use informed clinical opinion when conducting an evaluation and assessment of a child.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A local lead agency shall ensure informed clinical opinion:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>May be used as an independent basis to establish a child’s eligibility for the EIS when the other instruments do not establish eligibility; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May not be used to negate the results of evaluation instruments used to establish eligibility.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A written statement shall document the eligibility decision and be included in the child's early intervention record. The written statement shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The names and titles of the qualified personnel determining the child's eligibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The date of the determination; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The basis for eligibility determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A child’s medical and other records may be used to establish eligibility without conducting an evaluation of the child if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The records indicate that the child’s level of functioning in one or more developmental areas constitutes a developmental delay; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The child otherwise meets the criteria for an infant or toddler with a disability as defined in Regulation .03B(29) of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If the local lead agency determines a child is not eligible, the local lead agency shall provide the parent with prior written notice consistent with 34 CFR §303.421, including the parent’s right to dispute the eligibility determination through dispute resolution mechanisms in accordance with 34 CFR §303.430 and Regulation .14 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Assessments.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a child is eligible for EIS as an infant or toddler with a disability, the child and family shall have:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A multidisciplinary assessment of the unique strengths and needs of the child and the identification of services appropriate to meet those needs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A family-directed assessment of concerns, priorities, and resources of the family and the identification of the supports and services necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of the child. These assessments may occur simultaneously with the evaluation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Family assessments shall be conducted in the native language of the family member being assessed, unless clearly not feasible to do so.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The assessment of the child shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A review of the results;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Personal observations of the child; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The identification of the child’s needs in each of the developmental areas.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The family assessment shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be voluntary for each family member participating in the assessment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be based on information obtained through:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>An assessment tool; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>An interview with those family members who elect to participate in the assessment; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Include the family’s description of its concerns, priorities, and resources related to enhancing the child’s development.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>