STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
TO:
Special Education/Pupil Personnel Directors
FROM:
Anne Louise Thompson, Chief
Bureau of Special Education
DATE:
June 27, 2008
SUBJECT: Evaluation Timeline Data Collection
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is mandated by the U.S.
Department of Education to report district data for Indicator #11, a compliance indicator
contained within Connecticut’s State Performance Plan (SPP). Indicator #11 is a measure
used to monitor the “percent of children with parental consent to evaluate, who were
evaluated and eligibility determined within 60 days (or state established timelines).”
While the CSDE seeks district data to meet this federally mandated data collection,
district information is also used to determine compliance with state regulations
concerning children requiring special education. As allowed under federal regulations,
the state has established its own timelines. The requirement for this data collection is
aligned with the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) for completing
eligibility determinations. The CSDE has determined that the 45-school-day time count
begins after an LEA receives a signed, completed referral form [see ED621: Referral to
Determine Eligibility for Special Education and Related Services] or written letter
requesting a referral made by one of the following individuals:
• The individual if he or she is 18 years or older;
• Parent, guardian, or surrogate parent;
• School personnel; or,
• Other individuals from agencies to whom parental permission has been granted.
Districts are strongly encouraged to employ a date stamp or similar method to document
when initial referrals are received by administrative, teaching, or pupil services staff, or
their representatives.
Federal Reporting Requirements
The CSDE requires electronic data submission on evaluation activities leading to an
eligibility determination that were conducted by each Local Education Agency (