I’ve Been Invited to a Re-Evaluation Planning Meeting in New Jersey: What Does That Mean?
If your child receives special education services in New Jersey, you may receive an invitation to a Re-Evaluation Planning Meeting. For many families in Monmouth County and Ocean County, this can feel confusing. Is something wrong? Does this mean my child will lose services?
The good news is that a re-evaluation is a standard part of the special education process in New Jersey, and it’s designed to make sure your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) continues to meet their needs.
What Is a Re-Evaluation?
Under New Jersey law, every child with an IEP must be considered for re-evaluation at least every three years. The purpose is to decide:
Whether your child continues to be eligible for special education.
What their current strengths and needs are.
Whether new evaluations are necessary to get updated information.
Sometimes re-evaluations happen sooner if requested by a parent or the school team.
What Happens at a Re-Evaluation Planning Meeting?
At the planning meeting, the Child Study Team (CST) — along with you, the parent — meets to decide what type of assessments, if any, should be completed.
This may include:
Speech and Language Evaluation (by an SLP).
Educational Evaluation (academic skills).
Psychological Evaluation (cognitive, social-emotional).
Occupational or Physical Therapy Assessments.
Classroom Observations.
In some cases, if enough data is already available (from teacher reports, therapy progress, and prior testing), the team may decide that no new testing is needed.
Your Role as a Parent
At the meeting, you can:
Share concerns about your child’s current learning or development.
Request specific evaluations if you feel new areas need to be looked at.
Ask questions about how the results will be used to update the IEP.
Your input is essential — you are an equal member of the team.
What Happens After the Meeting?
If evaluations are agreed upon, specialists (like the SLP, psychologist, or learning consultant) will test your child within a set timeline. Once the evaluations are complete, the team will meet again for an Eligibility Meeting to review results and determine services.
Why Re-Evaluations Are Important
Re-evaluations are not about “taking services away.” Instead, they ensure that your child’s supports are still appropriate. For families in Monmouth County and Ocean County, this process helps confirm that IEP goals, therapy, and classroom accommodations continue to reflect your child’s needs.
Final Takeaway
A Re-Evaluation Planning Meeting is a normal and important part of your child’s special education journey in New Jersey. It’s a chance to make sure the right assessments are being completed, so the IEP stays accurate and supportive.
📞 At NRC Therapy Services, I offer speech therapy, literacy intervention, and IEP consultation for families in Monmouth and Ocean County, NJ. If you need help preparing for a re-evaluation planning meeting, I can guide you through the process.