Evaluations are used to document the student's educational needs and determine eligibility for special education. This document describes each editor, the section(s) of the print format that includes the entered information, a description of each field on the editor, and any special considerations and instructions for using the editor and fields.
An evaluation must be created whether or not the student is determined to have a disability. The school district gives a copy of the evaluation summary report, including the documentation of eligibility, to the student’s parents. For information on general functionality, navigation, and additional plan and evaluation features, see the core Plan and Evaluation Information article.
The current format of this document is the MA ESR 2025. Evaluation formats are selected in Eval Types.
Editor Home
Evaluation Information
The Evaluation Header editor lists general information about the Evaluation, including relevant dates.
This editor cannot be placed in a NOT NEEDED status.
Evaluation Information Editor
Field
Description
Validation
Meeting Type Required
The type of meeting. Options include:
Initial Evaluation
Re-Convene
Reevaluation
Placement
Three Year Reevaluation
Multiple selections can be made.
Meeting Date Required
The day of the meeting.
This field auto-populates with the date evaluation was created.
The Student Information editor displays basic information about the student such as demographic information. This is a read-only editor.
The Refresh button retrieves a fresh copy of data from the student's record from Census. See the General Information section for additional information.
This editor cannot be placed in a Not Needed status.
Student Information Editor
Field
Description
Validation
Last Name
The student's last name.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Last Name
identity.lastName
First Name
The student's first name.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > First Name
identity.firstName
Middle Name
The student's middle name.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Middle Name
identity.middleName
Suffix
The student's suffix.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Suffix Name
identity.suffix
Age
The student's age.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Birthdate
The student's date of birth.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Birth Date
identity.birthDate
Gender
The student's gender.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Gender
identity.gender
Student Language
The student's home primary language.
This field auto-populates from student's Demographics record when Education Plan is saved and each time Refresh is clicked.
Demographics > Language At Home
identity.homePrimaryLanguage
Language of Instruction Required
The language the student is to receive instruction.
The values available in this dropdown are populated from the Attribute Dictionary > Definition > ISO Language List.
Address
The student's address.
This field becomes a dropdown when more than one address exists for the student. The primary household displays by default.
The Parent/Guardian Information editor populates based on the guardian checkbox on the student's Relationships tool. The editor includes Demographics information for the student's guardian.
The Remove button next to each parent/guardian can be used to remove a parent/guardian from the IEP.
The Refresh button retrieves a new copy of parent/guardians' data. This also returns any accidentally deleted people. Manually entered fields do not change when the refresh button is clicked. The user must Save after clicking Refresh to capture changes.
This editor cannot be placed in a Not Needed status.
Parent/Guardian Information Editor
Field
Description
Validation
Last Name
The last name of the parent/guardian.
This is part of the header for the guardian.
Demographics > Last Name
identity.lastName
First Name
The first name of the parent/guardian.
This is part of the header for the guardian.
Demographics > First Name
identity.firstName
Middle Name
The suffix of the parent/guardian.
This is part of the header for the guardian.
Demographics > Middle Name
identity.middleName
Suffix
The suffix of the parent/guardian.
This is part of the header for the guardian.
Demographics > Suffix
identity.suffix
Relationship
The relationship between the student and guardian.
This is part of the header for the guardian.
Relationships > Relationships
planGuardian.relationship
Print Sequence
The print order of the parent/guardian(s) on the IEP.
When no Sequence is selected, parent/guardian(s) print in the order displayed in the UI.
When any Sequences are selected, parent/guardian(s) with a sequence number print in the order defined, then un-sequenced parent/guardian(s) print at the bottom.
Legal Guardian
Indicates this person is the student's legal guardian. Options are Yes or No.
N/A
Address
The address of the guardian's home.
When multiple addresses exist, this field becomes a dropdown selection.
This field auto-populates from the guardian's Census record when the plan is saved and each time the Refresh button is clicked.
The SLD: Component 1 editor includes a review of the student's previous education, Participation Skills assessed, Performance History considered, and relevant Medical Information.
SLD: Component 1 Editor
Field
Description
Validation
Have the above requirements been met?
Indicates the above requirements were met. Options include:
Yes, both A and B have been met
Some, but not all of the requirements in A and B have been met. The Team must determine what additional information is needed and how they will obtain the information within the evaluation timeframe. See SLD TA 3.
No, the requirements have not been met and therefore the referral for special education evaluation should not go forward until the school has sufficient information to determine that the student has been given appropriate opportunities to learn in the general education environment. See SLD TA 4.
Only one option can be selected.
Participation Skills
Assessments of the student's attention skills, memory, and social relations with groups, peers, and adults have been collected
Indicates assessments of the student's attention skills, memory, and social relations have been collected.
N/A
Performance History
Supporting evidence shows that the student has
Options include:
consistently performed within the range of performance of same-aged peers; or
consistently performed better than same-aged peers; or
consistently performed less well than same-aged peers; or
demonstrated inconsistent performance throughout his/her educational history
The SLD: Component 2 editor describes the method used to determine eligibility.
SLD: Component 2 Editor
Field
Description
Validation
SLD: Component 2
Method of Determination
The method of determination. Options include:
A. If using a scientific, research-based intervention as an eligibility determination procedure, check this box.
B. If using the IQ/achievement discrepancy model as an eligibility determination procedure, check this box.
Only one option can be selected.
The following fields display when A is selected from Method of Determination.
A1. Based on assessment data*, the student is not making effective educational progress for his/her age or to meet ELA or Math Curriculum Framework standards when using a process based on the student’s response to scientific, research-based intervention in one or more of the following areas
Options include:
Oral Expression
Basic Reading Skills
Reading Fluency Skills
Mathematics Problem Solving
Written Expression
Reading Comprehension
Listening Comprehension
Mathematics Calculation
Multiple options can be selected.
A2. Has the scientific, research-based intervention method that was implemented provided sufficient information so that a responsive, data-driven IEP can be developed for the student?
Options include
Yes, sufficient evidence exists regarding how the student learns and what is impeding learning so that a responsive, data-driven IEP can be developed
No (If no, attach additional diagnostic assessments that will determine how the student learns and what is impeding learning, that will assist in the writing of a responsive, data-driven IEP and designing specialized instruction based on the student's needs.)
Only one option can be selected.
The following fields display when B is selected from Method of Determination.
B1. Based on a finding of a severe discrepancy between IQ and achievement, the student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement or both, relative to age or ELA or Math Curriculum Framework standards, or intellectual development, in the areas of
Options include:
Oral Expression
Basic Reading Skills
Reading Fluency Skills
Mathematics Problem Solving
Written Expression
Reading Comprehension
Listening Comprehension
Mathematics Calculation
Multiple options can be selected.
B2. Technically sound instruments have been used that assess cognitive and behavioral factors as well as physical or developmental factors
Options are Yes or No.
N/A
B3. More than one measure or assessment has been implemented
The SLD: Determination editor indicates if the team has identified the student as eligible for special education services as a result of the observations of the previous editors.
The Eligibility Determination expands on the student's eligibility, including identifying the student's primary disability and the date of determination.
Eligibility Determination Editor
Field
Description
Validation
Eligibility Determination
Does the student have one or more of the following types of disability?
Options are Yes or No.
N/A
Specify Disability(ies)
The student's disability(ies). Options include:
Autism
Developmental Delay
Intellectual
Sensory/Hearing
Sensory/Vision
Sensory/Deaf-Blind
Neurological
Emotional
Communication
Physical
Specific Learning
Health
Multiple options can be selected.
2a. Is the student making effective progress in the general education program? In the case of a three-year reevaluation, would the student continue to make effective progress in the general education program without special education services?
Options are Yes or No.
N/A
2b. Is the lack of progress the result of the student's disability?
Options are Yes or No.
N/A
2c. Does the student require special education and/or related services to make effective progress or to access the general education curriculum.
*This field is available and required when Other is selected from Purpose of Meeting.
Comments
Any comments related to the meeting.
This field is limited to 8000 characters.
Attendance
First Name Required
The person's first name.
This field is read-only when the name pulls in from the Team Members tool when the Refresh button is clicked. Displays as a text field when the user manually enters the Team Member using the Add button.
Last Name Required
The person's last name.
This field is read-only when the name pulls in from the Team Members tool when the Refresh button is clicked. Displays as a text field when the user manually enters the Team Member using the Add button.
Role Name
The person's role.
N/A
Invited
Indicates the person has been invited.
When Invited is marked, the team member displays on the printed document.
Accepted
Indicates the person accepts the determination of the team.
N/A
Rejected
Indicates the person rejects the determination of the team.
N/A
Stay Put
Indicates the person does not agree with the evaluation decision and the evaluation should be placed in a holding status until mediation steps take place to resolve the issue.
Editor Home
Evaluation Information Editor
Enrollment Information Editor
Student Information Editor
Parent/Guardian Information Editor
SLD: Component 1 Editor
SLD: Component 2 Editor
SLD: Component 3-4 Editor
SLD: Determination Editor
Eligibility Determination Editor
Team Meeting List Screen
Team Meeting Detail Screen
Evaluation Consent Form (N1A) Editor