Reevaluation Decision Tree — Texas IDEA REED

⚡ The Short Version

Every three years — or sooner if conditions warrant — the ARD committee must decide what, if anything, needs to be reevaluated. The committee reviews existing data (REED). If no new data are needed to determine continued eligibility and educational needs, no new testing is required — but the parent can still request testing. If new data are needed, the team obtains consent and proceeds.

Step 1

Is a reevaluation being triggered?

A reeval is required at least once every three years and may be required sooner. The following triggers are recognized under IDEA and TAC.

Three-year cycle. A reevaluation must be conducted at least every three years unless the parent and LEA agree it is unnecessary. 34 CFR §300.303(b)(2)
Conditions warrant. The LEA shall ensure a reeval occurs if the child's educational or related services needs warrant it, or if the parent or teacher requests one. 34 CFR §300.303(a)
Dismissal from services. A reeval is required before determining that a child is no longer a child with a disability (with narrow exceptions for graduation with regular diploma or aging out). 34 CFR §300.305(e)
Adding an eligibility. A suspected new area of disability triggers evaluation in that area — typically handled as an addendum or supplemental eval, not a full reeval cycle.
Change in educational need. Significant regression, new medical diagnosis, behavioral escalation, or transition to a new grade band where demands change substantially.

Texas note: TAC §89.1011(c) mirrors IDEA but also allows the ARD committee, through the REED process, to determine that no additional data are needed — in which case no new assessments are conducted. The reeval is still "conducted" — it just consists of record review.

✅ Yes — Trigger Present

Continue to Step 2.

🚫 No Trigger

No reeval required. Document the review in the student's record. Continue monitoring through progress reports and annual ARDs.

Step 2

Timing check — has it been less than 1 year, or more than 3?

IDEA sets both a floor and a ceiling on reeval frequency.

⛔ < 1 Year Ago

A reevaluation may not occur more than once a year unless the parent and LEA agree otherwise. §300.303(b)(1)

Document written parent agreement and specify the need that warrants it.

✅ 1–3 Years Ago

Reeval is permitted if conditions warrant or if the parent/teacher requests one.

Proceed to REED (Step 3).

⚠️ > 3 Years

Reeval is required unless parent and LEA agreed in writing it was unnecessary. §300.303(b)(2)

Cannot skip without written agreement. Dismissal from services also requires reeval.

Step 3

Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED)

Before any new testing, the ARD committee and other qualified professionals must review existing data. This may occur without a meeting unless the parent requests one. 34 CFR §300.305(a)(b)

REED is not a formality. It is a documented analysis of whether existing data answer four questions: (1) whether the child continues to have a disability, (2) the educational needs of the child, (3) the present levels of academic and functional performance, and (4) whether the child continues to need special education and related services.

Data sources to review:

Prior evaluation reports and IEE data
Current IEP progress reports and goal mastery data
Classroom-based assessments, CBM, STAAR, district assessments
Report cards, attendance, discipline, RTI/MTSS records
Teacher observations and rating scales
Parent input on current functioning and concerns
Related service provider progress notes (SLP, OT, counseling)
Medical records and outside evaluations (when shared)
TELPAS and language proficiency data for EB students

Step 4

Are additional data needed?

This is the pivotal REED decision. The question is not "has it been 3 years?" — it is "do existing data answer the four questions?"

✅ Yes — Data Are Sufficient

No new assessments required. The LEA must notify the parent:

Of the determination that no additional data are needed
Of the reasons for that determination
Of the parent's right to request assessments anyway

34 CFR §300.305(d)

🔍 No — Additional Data Needed

The LEA administers the assessments needed to produce the missing data.

Obtain informed written parental consent §300.300(c)
Complete within Texas reeval timeline (within 3-year anniversary)
Proceed to Step 5 to determine scope

Parent request overrides. Even if the committee determines no additional data are needed, the parent may request assessments and the LEA must comply. §300.305(d)(2)

Step 5

Scope of reeval — full, partial, or targeted?

Reevaluations are not required to be full-battery. The scope matches the need identified through the REED.

Most common

🎯 Targeted Update

One or two domains need refreshed data (e.g., achievement scores for eligibility continuation; adaptive behavior rescreening for ID reeval).

Cognitive data may roll forward if still educationally valid. Always re-administer achievement if it anchors the eligibility.

New area or profile change

🔀 Partial Reeval

A new area of suspected disability or significant profile change requires assessment in additional domain(s).

Examples: adding dyscalculia to an existing dyslexia eligibility; adding OHI/ADHD to an SLD eligibility; new behavioral concerns requiring FBA.

Major change or dismissal

📋 Full Reeval

Comprehensive reassessment across cognitive, achievement, and relevant supplemental areas.

Indicated for: dismissal consideration, major change in functioning, prior eval dated or methodologically limited, transfer student with incomplete records.

Dyslexia reeval rule. When the prior eligibility included dyslexia and current reading scores are at or above 85, this reflects intervention success — not resolution of the underlying processing differences. Accommodations remain warranted. Phonological processing and rapid naming data should still be documented.

Special Case — Dismissal Reevaluation

⚠️ Dismissal Considerations

Dismissal from special education requires a reevaluation before the ARD committee determines the student no longer meets criteria. 34 CFR §300.305(e)

Both prongs must be answered:

Does the student still meet eligibility criteria? And does the student still require specially designed instruction to access the general curriculum? A student whose skills now fall within average range but whose access depends on accommodations still benefits from specially designed instruction — dismissal may not be appropriate.

SLD dismissal: Processing differences rarely resolve. Consider whether current achievement reflects scaffolding, accommodations, or actual skill acquisition. Document the pattern of response to supports over time.
ID dismissal: IQ and adaptive behavior scores are broadly stable. Dismissal is uncommon and requires strong evidence that prior scores were invalid or that substantial developmental change has occurred.

OHI/ADHD dismissal: ADHD does not resolve but expression may change with development and treatment. The question is whether impact on access to education is still present.
SI dismissal: Articulation and fluency dismissals are most common; language impairment dismissals are rarer and require documentation from the SLP.
Graduation / aging out: A reevaluation is not required. A Summary of Performance (SOP) is required instead. §300.305(e)(2)(3)

Exit PWN required. Regardless of how clear the data are, dismissal requires Prior Written Notice to the parent — including the data supporting dismissal, the options considered, and why other options were rejected. See the PWN Language Bank for stems.

Quick Rules — At a Glance

Rule	What it says	Citation
Minimum interval	Not more than once a year unless parent and LEA agree in writing.	§300.303(b)(1)
Maximum interval	At least once every 3 years unless parent and LEA agree in writing it is unnecessary.	§300.303(b)(2)
REED required	Before any reeval testing. May occur without a meeting.	§300.305(a)(b)
REED can conclude "no new data"	No testing required — but parent must be notified of their right to request it anyway.	§300.305(d)
Consent for new testing	Informed written consent required before administering new assessments.	§300.300(c)
Texas reeval timeline	Must be completed by the 3-year anniversary of the prior eval. No 45-school-day extension applies to reeval.	TAC §89.1011
Dismissal requires reeval	Except for graduation with regular diploma or aging out.	§300.305(e)
Transfer student	Review records; determine whether the Texas FIE is current and comprehensive. Reeval may be triggered if receiving LEA determines existing eval is insufficient.	IDEA + TAC
Parent can decline consent for reeval	LEA may pursue due process or may proceed to ARD using existing data if the reeval is not essential. Documentation is critical.	IDEA
Dyslexia persistence rule	Scores in the average range at reeval reflect successful intervention, not resolution. Eligibility and accommodations may still be appropriate.	TX Dyslexia Handbook (2024)