Assessment for Eligibility
Preschool Assessment and Learning Services (PALS)
(Children ≤ 3 - 6 prior to entering/enrolling in Kindergarten)
Children suspected of having any disability as recognized by the IDEA (including but not limited to speech impairment, language impairment, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, giftedness, mental retardation or other disabilities) can be assessed from at least 90 days before the child's 3rd birthday. Referrals can be made by (but are not limited to) parents, Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), and Head Start Programs. If a child is found to be eligible for services as a student with a disability, PALS will facilitate an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to address programming options. For more information, contact PALS at (423) 209-5418.
School-aged Assessment and Eligibility
(Referral Process)
After a referral from a parent or teacher who recognizes that a child is suspected of a disability and may need special education services, an IEP team convenes to review relevant information and determines if an assessment is warranted. If the IEP team agrees, an assessment plan is developed to evaluate all suspected areas of disability. Parent/guardian permission to assess is obtained and the referral process is initiated and must be completed within 40 school days. The IEP team reconvenes after the assessment is completed to determine whether the results indicate the presence of a disability and whether the child needs special education services in order to access and make progress in the general curriculum. If the child is determined eligible for special education services, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed. Based on present levels of performance, goals and objectives are developed to meet the individual needs of the child in the least restrictive environment. For more information, please contact the special education department at your child's school.
Private School Student Assessment and Eligibility Process
Parents of private school students not residing in Hamilton County desiring an assessment should contact the Private School Assessment office at W. 40th Street at (423) 209-5435 or (423) 209-5436.
Parents of home schooled and private school students residing in Hamilton County desiring assessment should contact the school psychologist at the student's home-zoned school. The psychologist can be contacted through the home-zoned school main office or by contacting Central office at (423) 209-8450.
State Assessment
Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment
(TCAP, Gateway, and End of Course)
and Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program – Alternate
(Portfolio Assessment TCAP_Alt PA)
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 mandate that all students be given access to the general curriculum and participate in statewide assessments. Students with disabilities will be administered the test in one of four ways:
Standard conditions without accommodations
Standard conditions with accommodations
MAAS
Alternative assessment using TCAP Alt PA
Accommodations on State Assessments
Accommodations must be appropriately related to the student’s disability and be consistent with those that are provided during regular instruction as determined through the IEP team process. Tests will be given at the grade level in which the student is enrolled.
Accommodations may be
• Allowable (usable by all students)
• Special (used only if student meets pre-conditions)
• ELL (usable by English Language Learners who meet pre-conditions).
These accommodations and the need for them are documented and verified through the IEP process.
Graduation Options
Requirements for Students Who Entered 9th Grade in 2008 or Before
A regular Hamilton County high school diploma - with requirements for attending school, passage and completion of State-required assessments, satisfactory attendance and conduct, and any additional requirements from the graduating school.
A regular Tennessee high school diploma - with satisfactory completion of State-required credits and/or IEP completion, passage and completion of State-required assessments, satisfactory attendance and conduct.
A special education diploma - with satisfactory completion of his/her IEP, satisfactory records of attendance and conduct and any additional requirements from the graduating school.
Requirements for Students Who Will Enter 9th Grade in 2009 or After
A regular Hamilton County high school diploma - with requirements for attending school, passage and completion of State-required assessments, satisfactory attendance and conduct, and any additional requirements from the graduating school.
A regular Tennessee high school diploma - with satisfactory completion of State-required credits, satisfactory attendance and conduct.
A transition certificate - at the end of the 4th year of high school, satisfactory completion of the IEP, and satisfactory attendance and conduct. Student may continue working towards a regular high school diploma through the end of the school year in which they turn 22 years old.
IEP Certificate - satisfactory completion of the IEP, completion of a portfolio, and satisfactory attendance and conduct.
Please contact the ExEd webmaster at exed_web@hcde.org with questions, suggestions, or updates.