Educational Records Review - Part of Learning Disabilities Assessment

A thorough review of a student's records involves analysis of the entire educational history. Evaluators also attempt to get records from any previous schools the child may have attended. Information from the student's files may provide details that help examiners understand why the child is having learning problems in school.

All students typically have cumulative folders, usually maintained by the school counseling and guidance office, which may include:

• History of programs attended;
• Attendance records;
• Previous support services provided to the child or family;
• Educational performance history;
• Grade reports;
• Standardized achievement test results as required by the state or local district;
• Discipline and behavior records;
• Names of past teachers who may be available for further research on the student's educational history;
• Records of the number of times a student may have moved and changed schools; and
• Student health records.

Students with a history of placement in special education will also have a special education folder. These are typically stored separately from the cumulative folders to protect the child's confidentiality rights. Only educators with a legitimate educational interest in the child have access to the folder. Special education folders typically include current and any previous placements and services.

• Special Education Conference Summaries;
• Individual Education Programs;
• Assessment Reports;
• Progress Reports
• Documentation of Specially Designed Instruction;
• Behavior plan data;
• Student work samples; and
• Any other information the child's teachers or parents feel is important.