Types of Assessments for Special Education: A Guide for Schools and Districts
Success in special education starts with understanding – and understanding begins with assessment.
Before an IEP (individualized education program) can be written or services provided, schools need a clear picture of how a student learns, communicates, and engages. Assessments give teams the insight to move forward with purpose, not guesswork. They highlight what’s working, where support is needed, and how best to guide each student’s path.
Why Assessments Matter in Special Education
Assessments are more than procedural steps, they shape every part of the special education journey. From the initial evaluation to ongoing progress monitoring, each assessment builds a clearer understanding of the student as a whole learner. These insights drive eligibility decisions, inform service planning, and strengthen collaboration across the IEP team.
The types of assessments in special education each serve a specific function. Cognitive testing, academic achievement, speech and language evaluations, functional behavior assessments, and developmental tools all work together to paint a complete picture. Used with intention, they help teams move beyond assumptions and toward solutions grounded in data.
When assessments are timely and well-aligned, they support stronger IEPs, smoother implementation, and more consistent growth tracking. They don’t just identify challenges they help uncover opportunities.
Who Initiates Evaluations and What Their Role Entails
Evaluations typically begin when a concern arises and is flagged by a teacher, specialist, or parent.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a formal referral sets the evaluation process in motion. Once parental consent is obtained, a multidisciplinary team assembles to conduct a thorough review of the student’s needs.
These team members may include, but are not limited to, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and general educators, all of whom contribute valuable insights to the development of the IEP.
Initial Evaluations: The First Step in the IEP Journey
Under IDEA, an initial evaluation is triggered when there’s suspicion of a disability that impacts a student’s ability to learn in the general education setting. This suspicion may arise from observed struggles in academics, behavior, communication, or physical development.
A comprehensive special education evaluation is multifaceted. It includes classroom observations, parent and teacher interviews, and a selection of formal assessments that examine various domains, including cognitive, academic, behavioral, speech/language, and motor skills. This layered approach supports a holistic understanding of student needs and allows schools to avoid misidentifying challenges.
Among the most common types of assessments for special education used during this phase are standardized cognitive tests (like the WISC-V), academic achievement tests (e.g., Woodcock-Johnson), and speech and language evaluations. Additionally, occupational and physical therapists may assess fine and gross motor skills, while school psychologists evaluate social-emotional functioning.
A Comprehensive List of Special Education Assessments
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to evaluations. A thorough assessment process often requires combining tools to address multiple developmental areas. Here's a breakdown of the most widely used options within the list of special education assessments:
- Diagnostic Assessments: These include cognitive and academic tools like the WISC-V, WAIS, and Woodcock-Johnson IV. They provide insight into processing speed, memory, comprehension, and other learning variables.
- Developmental Assessments: Assessment tools such as the Battelle Developmental Inventory and Peabody Developmental Motor Scales focus on early childhood skills in motor development, communication, and adaptive behaviors.
- Speech and Language Evaluations: Conducted by licensed SLPs, these assessments address expressive/receptive language, articulation, fluency, and pragmatics.
- Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs): Used to understand the function behind behaviors that interfere with learning, FBAs guide the development of behavior intervention plans.
- Mental Health Screenings and Psychoeducational Batteries: These evaluate emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and other mental health factors that impact learning.
Every assessment type plays a part in shaping the IEP and placement decisions. When used collectively, they form a comprehensive picture that helps educators make informed decisions that genuinely support student growth. For ongoing support, check out our collection of special education resources.
Reevaluations: Keeping Assessments Aligned with Student Growth
Assessments don’t stop once an IEP is in place. IDEA requires reevaluations at least every three years, or more frequently if requested by parents or educators. These follow-up evaluations aim to determine if the student still qualifies for services and whether current interventions remain appropriate.
Reevaluations may include a variety of types of special education assessments, often mirroring the tools used in the initial evaluation. The goal is to track academic progress, behavioral shifts, and emotional development. Teachers may complete updated rating scales, while psychologists and therapists retest specific skill areas as needed.
Maintaining continuity with providers – such as those on our team at Huddle Up – helps minimize bias and enhances the accuracy of reevaluation results. Familiar professionals can compare new data with past performance, recognizing patterns that lead to more responsive IEP changes.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Special Education Assessments
Even with the best intentions, many schools face significant challenges when implementing assessments. Staffing shortages are a primary concern – districts often lack access to licensed speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists. This leads to long waitlists and rushed evaluations.
Backlogs can push districts beyond IDEA timelines, which introduces compliance risks and frustrates families. Missed timelines can delay the delivery of critical supports, causing academic and behavioral setbacks.
Many districts use a hybrid model where in-person clinicians lead evaluations while virtual providers support ongoing therapy. This approach helps schools stay flexible, reduce service gaps, and ensure students receive timely, high-quality support. At Huddle Up, we’ve found that combining onsite and virtual services allows districts to meet diverse needs more efficiently and consistently.
Investing in long-term provider partnerships is another smart strategy. Consistent therapists who provide evaluations and become familiar with student profiles and district practices, which leads to more accurate data and fewer repeat assessments. There are also tech-enabled platforms, which help make it easier to schedule evaluations, communicate findings, and coordinate IEP team meetings.
How Huddle Up Simplifies the Assessment Process for Districts
At Huddle Up, we provide IEP services for schools that support the full spectrum of special education assessments – speech therapy, occupational therapy, school psychology, and mental health.
With 96% provider retention, we deliver consistency that districts can rely on. Our professionals form lasting relationships with students and staff, which leads to stronger evaluations and less turnover-related disruption. When a student’s needs change, our team is already familiar with their history – streamlining reevaluations and supporting data-driven IEP decisions.
If your school needs a long-term provider, Huddle Up is ready to help. Learn more about our approach by reaching out to contact our team or by reviewing our Huddle Up FAQs.
Join Our Mission
Are you a provider looking to make a difference in special education? We’re always looking for passionate professionals to join our community. We offer flexible work options, consistent placements, and a mission-driven team culture. Explore our provider job opportunities today to see how you can help make a difference in student lives.