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The purpose of this memorandum is to remind school districts of their obligation to evaluate all students suspected of having a disability regardless of their cognitive skills. In a , the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs provided guidance and clarification regarding determining eligibility for special education programs and services for students with disabilities with high cognition. TheÌýLetter to DelisleÌýspecifically addresses students with high cognition who may be eligible for special education programs and services as a student with a learning disability but also cites the broader requirements that:

• an individual evaluation must include a variety of assessment tools and strategies to gather relevant functional, developmental and academic information about the student that may assist in determining whether the student is a student with a disability []; and
• no single measure or assessment is used as the sole criterion for determining whether a student is a student with a disability or for determining an appropriate educational program for a student [].

School districts should review the attached federal guidance to ensure their district's procedures relating to individual evaluations are consistent with federal and State standards.

Questions on this memorandum should be directed to speced@nysed.gov or to the Special Education Quality Assurance Office in your region.