FSDB offers Outreach Evaluation Services assistance to school districts across the state of Florida by evaluating students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind.

School districts can refer students to FSDB for assessment services on the FSDB campus. Evaluation results are shared with the school district IEP team to identify each student’s programming needs, classroom accommodations or modifications, and service delivery strategies.

Qualified FSDB personnel conduct all assessments. Evaluation service areas may include but are not limited to: audiological, speech/language, receptive/expressive communication, social/developmental, social/ emotional/behavioral, adaptive, intellectual, behavior observation, academic, functional vision, learning media, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and related assessments.

FSDB does not provide Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), for parents or school districts when there is disagreement regarding the evaluations of a child that was obtained by the school district. An Independent educational evaluation (IEE) means an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for the education of the child.

Once a school district has identified a student for Outreach Evaluation Services, the district’s special education director or coordinator contacts the FSDB Parent Services department. The evaluation process is as follows:

• A designated FSDB coordinator then works in collaboration with the school district to obtain past evaluation data, current IEP information, and any other relevant data for review and inclusion in the evaluation of the student.

• Once all the documentation has been received by FSDB, the student evaluation is scheduled on a specific date mutually agreed upon by FSDB, the school district, and the child’s parent/s.

• The all-day evaluation takes place on the FSDB campus, with assessments in the morning and sharing of assessment results in the afternoon. The final evaluation report is sent within 20 calendar days to the district and child’s parent/s.

For more information about FSDB Outreach Services or to schedule an evaluation, contact: