KSDE Weekly

Student Health and Nutrition

U.S. Department of Education: RTI/MTSS can’t be used to delay, deny IDEA evaluations

This message is from the United State Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): 

It has come to our attention that initial evaluations have sometimes been delayed or denied by local educational agencies (LEAs) until a child goes through the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) process, sometimes referred to as Response to Intervention (RTI).  

Although the term RTI is no longer commonly used to describe a state’s multi-tiered system of support, the memoranda (found below) apply to all tiered systems of support, whether the state uses an RTI, MTSS or a unique state name. 

The basis for these memoranda is the child find requirements in Section 612(a)(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each IDEA Part B and Part C grantee must ensure it has a system in place for meeting the child find requirements as a condition for funding.  

OSEP reminds state educational agencies and LEAs that the Part B regulations at 34 C.F.R. §300.301(b) allow a parent to request an initial evaluation at any time to determine if a child is a child with a disability under IDEA.  

As OSEP Memorandum 11-07 states, MTSS/RTI may not be used to delay or deny a full and individual evaluation under 34 C.F.R. §§300.304-300.311 for a child suspected of having a disability. With respect to preschool children, IDEA does not require or encourage a local or preschool program to use a MTSS approach prior to referral for evaluation or as part of determining whether a 3-, 4-, or 5-year-old is eligible for special education and related services. 

Once an LEA receives a referral from a preschool program, the LEA must initiate an evaluation process to determine if the child is a child with a disability.  See: 34 C.F.R. §300.301(b).  

Because the content of these memoranda reflects IDEA statutory and regulatory requirements, they are still in effect.  

If you have any questions regarding this email, please contact your OSEP state lead.  

  1. OSEP Memorandum 11-07 - A Response to Intervention (RTI) Process Cannot Be Used to Delay-Deny an Evaluation for Eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (January 21, 2011); and  
  2. OSEP Memorandum 16-07 - A Response to Intervention Process Cannot be Used to Delay-Deny an Evaluation for Preschool Education Services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education   Act (April 29, 2016).  
Print
Posted: Mar 16, 2023,
Comments: 0,
Author: Ann Bush
Tags:

Theme picker

Copyright 2024 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)


To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.