--- title: What is a reevaluation for special education? description: What’s a triennial reevaluation for special education? What about a parent-requested reevaluation? Find out when and how to have students reevaluated. slug: reevaluations-for-special-education author: Amanda Morin reviewer: Lindsay Jones, JD published: '2019-08-05T15:01:49.952Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4vM4WByxf6xPusAWuR274o/d670082f0d953506bffc6aa6f732bbe0/G1289433554.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reevaluations-for-special-education lang: en --- # What is a reevaluation for special education? If your student has an IEP, you’re probably familiar with the [school evaluation process](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-evaluation-process-what-to-expect). The results** **helped determine eligibility for special education. But what is a ***re***evaluation for special education?  It’s an evaluation** **that happens after that first evaluation. It’s not the same as the annual review of an IEP or just additional testing. A reevaluation is a full-fledged look at a student’s needs. There are two types of reevaluations: - Triennial reevaluation (three-year review)  - Parent- or teacher-requested reevaluation Unlike with an initial evaluation, a triennial reevaluation doesn’t have to be specifically requested. That’s because it’s required by law to happen. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to reevaluate kids with IEPs at least once every three years. The purpose of the triennial reevaluation is to see if a student’s needs have changed. It’s also to see if they still qualify for special education services.   However, families and teachers may want a reevaluation at another time, or before the three-year mark. Under IDEA, a student may be evaluated only once per year. That leaves room for families or schools to request a new evaluation if new information is needed before the triennial reevaluation. Just like an initial evaluation, a reevaluation is an involved process. It takes time and effort from you, the student, and school staff. Before starting, it’s important to think carefully about why it’s needed. You can ask school staff for their thoughts and advice. You’ll also want to think through [how to explain a reevaluation to kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/talking-to-your-child-about-getting-evaluated).** **  Learn [how to request an evaluation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-steps-for-requesting-a-school-evaluation). --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reevaluations-for-special-education#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reevaluations-for-special-education","description":"What’s a triennial reevaluation for special education? What about a parent-requested reevaluation? Find out when and how to have students reevaluated."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reevaluations-for-special-education","name":"What is a reevaluation for special education?"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:01:49.952Z","description":"What’s a triennial reevaluation for special education? What about a parent-requested reevaluation? Find out when and how to have students reevaluated.","headline":"What is a reevaluation for special education?","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reevaluations-for-special-education","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```