Evaluation and Eligibility

Understanding Evaluations and Eligibility for Special Education

At Westport Public Schools, we believe in giving every child the support they need to thrive. A key part of this is ensuring that students who may need special education services are properly identified through a clear, thoughtful, and fair evaluation process.

Why Are Evaluations Important?

Evaluations help us understand:

Whether a student qualifies for special education services under the law,
The nature and extent of their learning or developmental needs, and
What kinds of support and instruction will help them succeed in school.

These evaluations are guided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Connecticut state regulations, ensuring a consistent and equitable process for all students.

What Happens During an Initial Evaluation?

The process begins when a referral is made—either by a parent, teacher, or another professional. A team called the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) then meets to decide what information is needed to evaluate the student.

The District will:

Gather input from parents, teachers, and specialists,
Use a variety of tools and assessments to get a complete picture of the student’s strengths and challenges,
Ensure all assessments are fair, culturally appropriate, and in the student’s primary language or mode of communication (if possible),
Consider all aspects of the child’s functioning, including academic, emotional, communication, and behavioral needs.

An evaluation will not rely on a single test and will be done by trained professionals.

Evaluation Timelines

For students ages 3 to 21, the entire process from referral to the implementation of services must be completed within 45 school days (excluding time needed to get parental consent).

For toddlers referred near their third birthday, we make every effort to:

Complete the evaluation in time, and
Begin services no later than the child's third birthday—even during the summer if needed.

Eligibility Determination

Once evaluations are complete, the PPT meets to determine if the student is eligible for special education. A student must meet three criteria:

Have a qualifying disability, such as a learning disability, autism, speech or language impairment, emotional disturbance, ADHD, or others (see full list below),
The disability must adversely affect their educational performance, and
The student must require special education and related services as a result.

The team carefully considers not just academics, but also behavior, social skills, emotional well-being, and other factors that may affect the student’s success in school. A student cannot be found eligible simply because of limited instruction, language barriers, or a lack of opportunity.

Disabilities Recognized Under IDEA

Autism
Speech or Language Impairment
Emotional Disturbance
Learning Disabilities (including Dyslexia)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Intellectual Disability
Developmental Delay
Traumatic Brain Injury
Hearing or Vision Impairments (including Deaf-Blindness)
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairments
Multiple Disabilities

Reevaluations

Every student receiving special education services is reevaluated at least every three years, unless the parents and district agree it’s unnecessary. A reevaluation can happen sooner if:

A parent or teacher requests it,
The student’s needs have changed significantly.

Reevaluations help determine whether the student still qualifies for services, and if their plan needs to be updated to reflect their progress and current needs.

What If More Time Is Needed?

For students being evaluated for a specific learning disability, parents and the district may mutually agree to extend the evaluation timeline. This ensures that decisions are based on complete and accurate information.

Trial Placement for Diagnostic Purposes

Sometimes, a student’s needs aren’t fully clear, even after initial evaluations. In these cases, the district may suggest a short-term “diagnostic placement”—a structured educational setting lasting no more than 40 school days. This allows the team to observe how the student responds to different supports and make better-informed decisions.

Students New to the District

If your child transfers into Westport while being evaluated or reevaluated by another district, we will coordinate with the previous school to make sure evaluations are completed promptly and efficiently.

Sharing Results and Moving Forward

You will receive the results of your child’s evaluation at least three school days before the PPT meeting where eligibility will be discussed. The team will use that meeting to determine next steps—whether that’s developing an IEP or exploring other supports.

We’re here to support you through every step of this process. If you have questions about evaluations, eligibility, or your child’s learning needs, please reach out to your school’s special education team.

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