Educational Evaluations of Children With Special Needs: Clinical and Forensic Considerations (Forensic Practice in Psychology)

This worthwhile volume was written by experts in neuropsychology, educational evaluation, and parent training. It would be a valuable tool for any clinician providing independent educational evaluations. --PsycCRITIQUES

Unquestionably, this is the book I would recommend to any psychologist seeking to become an independent evaluator in special education cases. There are many take-away points which can be absorbed after a single reading and applied effectively many times over. In addition to wonderfully crafted narrative and the illustrative report, the authors included an appendix with a parent agreement form, summary of procedural logistics and list of common mistakes when performing evaluations. Thus, the book is instructive and pragmatic, the best of both worlds, in a compact, engaging, and highly readable text. --New England Psychologist

This book describes how to perform an independent educational evaluation for children with special needs. Chapters describe the suggested format and content of initial meetings with parents and school officials, the assessment and evaluation process, how to piece together the final report, and additional issues that arise after the final settlement, including testimony in due process hearings. They also carefully outline the evaluator's responsibilities under the law. Perhaps most importantly, they provide crucial suggestions for how evaluators can navigate conflict that often arises between parents and school officials, while remaining focused on providing the best possible education for all children.