Policy – Category 5000 (Students)
BP 5003 – Eligibility Criteria Individual with Exceptional Needs
which is available on the pupil. No single score or product of scores shall be used as the sole criterion for the decisions of the IEP team as to the pup il’s eligibility for special education. In determining the existence of a severe discrepancy, the IEP team shall use the following procedures: 1. When standardized tests are considered to be valid for a specific pupil, a severe discrepancy is demonstrated by: first, converting into common standard scores, using a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15, the achievement test score and the intellectual ability test score to be compared; second, computing the difference between these two common standard scores; and third, comparing this computed difference to the standard criterion which is the product of 1.5 multiplied by the standard deviation of the distribution of computed differences of students taking these achievement and ability tests. A computed difference which equals or exceeds this standard criterion, adjusted by one standard error of measurement, the adjustment not to exceed 4 common standard score points, indicates a severe discrepancy when such discrepancy is corroborated by other assessment data which may include other tests, scales, instruments, observations and work samples, as appropriate.
2. When standardized tests are considered to be invalid for a specific pupil, the discrepancy shall be measured by alternative means as specified on the assessment plan.
3. If the standardized tests do not reveal a severe discrepancy as defined in subdivisions 1 or 2 above, the IEP team may find that a severe discrepancy does exist, provided that the team documents in a written report that the severe discrepancy between ability and achievement exists as a result of a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes. The report shall include a statement of the area, the degree, and the basis and method used in determining the discrepancy. The report shall contain information considered by the team which shall include, but not be limited to:
i. Data obtained from standardized assessment instruments;
ii. Information provided by the parent;
BP 5003 – Eligibility Criteria Individual with Exceptional Needs
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Desert Mountain Special Education Local Plan Area (DMSELPA) (rev. 09/18)
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