INTRODUCTION The overarching goal of this document is to assist schools in conducting appropriate and comprehensive educational evaluations for students suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD). Additionally, this guidance document will provide an overview of Kentucky’s SLD eligibility determination requirements, clarify the evaluation components and criteria, and answer frequently asked questions from the field as they relate to students with a SLD. The SLD eligibility determination process is a systematic approach that schools use to determine whether a student does or does not have a SLD as defined in the state regulations. SLD means a disorder that adversely affects the ability to acquire, comprehend, or apply reading, mathematical, writing, reasoning, listening, or speaking skills to the extent that specially designed instruction is required to benefit from education. The specific learning disability (SLD) may include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, developmental aphasia, and perceptual/motor disabilities. The term does not include deficits that are the result of other primary determinant or disabling factors such as vision, hearing, motor impairment, intellectual (mental) disability, emotional-behavioral disability, environmental or economic disadvantaged, cultural factors, limited English proficiency, or lack of relevant research-based instruction in the deficit area. 707 KAR 1:002 Section 1 (59). IDEA 2004 outlines the legal underpinnings of the eligibility determination process and further specifies how districts should approach the process. Within the parameters established in the federal regulations, state and local district policies define individual school-level SLD eligibility determination practices. The table below illustrates the timeline regarding SLD regulations and guidance. MAKING AN ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR SLD Kentucky’s vision is that all students proficiency and graduate from high school ready for college and careers. In support of that vision, this document seeks to provide guidance for districts to ensure the accurate identification of and appropriate educational support for students with SLD. The Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) for special education programs outline two possible methods for making an eligibility determination for SLD. A district (Local Education Agency or LEA) must develop written procedures for SLD determinations. Method A: Severe Discrepancy (Validated Regression) Method A: Severe Discrepancy is a process based on identification of a severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and achievement. As part of the eligibility determination for
INTRODUCTION The overarching goal of this document is to assist schools in conducting appropriate and comprehensive educational evaluations for students suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD). Additionally, this guidance document will provide an overview of Kentucky’s SLD eligibility determination requirements, clarify the evaluation components and criteria, and answer frequently asked questions from the field as they relate to students with a SLD. The SLD eligibility determination process is a systematic approach that schools use to determine whether a student does or does not have a SLD as defined in the state regulations. SLD means a disorder that adversely affects the ability to acquire, comprehend, or apply reading, mathematical, writing, reasoning, listening, or speaking skills to the extent that specially designed instruction is required to benefit from education. The specific learning disability (SLD) may include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, developmental aphasia, and perceptual/motor disabilities. The term does not include deficits that are the result of other primary determinant or disabling factors such as vision, hearing, motor impairment, intellectual (mental) disability, emotional-behavioral disability, environmental or economic disadvantaged, cultural factors, limited English proficiency, or lack of relevant research-based instruction in the deficit area. 707 KAR 1:002 Section 1 (59). IDEA 2004 outlines the legal underpinnings of the eligibility determination process and further specifies how districts should approach the process. Within the parameters established in the federal regulations, state and local district policies define individual school-level SLD eligibility determination practices. The table below illustrates the timeline regarding SLD regulations and guidance. MAKING AN ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR SLD Kentucky’s vision is that all students proficiency and graduate from high school ready for college and careers. In support of that vision, this document seeks to provide guidance for districts to ensure the accurate identification of and appropriate educational support for students with SLD. The Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) for special education programs outline two possible methods for making an eligibility determination for SLD. A district (Local Education Agency or LEA) must develop written procedures for SLD determinations. Method A: Severe Discrepancy (Validated Regression) Method A: Severe Discrepancy is a process based on identification of a severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and achievement. As part of the eligibility determination for
SLD%20Eligibility%20Guidance%20Document.docx