School-Based Screenings & Evaluations
Rigorous evaluations that distinguish difference from disorder.
CPSE, CSE, preschool, and school-age speech and language evaluations, done right the first time. Bilingual, culturally responsive, and always in the child's best interest.
- ✓CPSE, CSE, and Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
- ✓Bilingual: English, Haitian Creole, Spanish
- ✓Insurance-, district-, and family-funded options
- ✓IEP meeting attendance available
ASHA-Certified • Bilingual • Neurodiversity-Affirming • Mobile & Teletherapy
“She clearly differentiated language disorder from language difference.”
Overview
What this service is and who it's for
School-based evaluations carry weight, they shape classifications, services, placements, and the way teachers see a student for years to come. That's why they deserve the most experienced, culturally aware evaluator you can find.
We complete evaluations for districts as a contracted provider, for families as Independent Educational Evaluations, and for individual students who need a second opinion. Every report is written with the CPSE or CSE team in mind, clear standardized scores, rich clinical observations, and defensible recommendations.
Signs to Watch For
Your child may benefit if...
Every child develops on their own timeline. These are common signs families and teachers bring to us, none of them are a diagnosis, and none of them are your fault.
- ✓Teacher has raised concerns about listening, following directions, or classroom communication
- ✓Speech is hard to understand, especially by non-family members
- ✓Reading, writing, or vocabulary is falling behind peers
- ✓Difficulty telling stories, retelling events, or answering "wh" questions
- ✓Social communication struggles at school (conflict, isolation, misunderstandings)
- ✓Newly arrived English learner whose progress isn't clear-cut
- ✓Existing IEP up for review or reevaluation
- ✓You disagree with a previous evaluation and want a second opinion (IEE)
What to Expect
A simple, family-first process
-
1
Records review & intake
We gather school records, previous evaluations, and your specific concerns before the first session.
-
2
Comprehensive assessment
Standardized testing, dynamic assessment, language sampling, and observation across 1-2 sessions.
-
3
Report & recommendations
A detailed, defensible written report within 10 business days, tailored to CPSE/CSE decision-making.
-
4
Meeting support
Optional attendance at CPSE, CSE, or IEP meetings to present findings and support your family.
Why Hand in Hand
Care that meets your family where you are
Bilingual & culturally responsive
We evaluate students in their strongest language(s), using assessments and clinical judgment that respect their linguistic reality.
Diagnostic clarity
We distinguish language differences (bilingualism, dialect, limited exposure) from true language disorders, which prevents mis-classification.
Reports districts respect
Written with the CPSE/CSE process in mind: clear scores, defensible reasoning, and specific, measurable recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents ask us
What is a school-based speech evaluation?+
A school-based speech and language evaluation is a comprehensive assessment used to determine whether a student qualifies for speech-language services through their school district, through CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for children ages 3-5, or CSE (Committee on Special Education) for K-12. The evaluation includes standardized testing, language sampling, classroom observation when possible, and a review of academic performance.
What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?+
A screening is a brief 10-15 minute check that identifies whether a full evaluation is needed. An evaluation is a comprehensive 90-120 minute assessment that leads to eligibility decisions and, if appropriate, an IEP with specific goals and services.
Who conducts the evaluation?+
Evaluations are conducted by a New York state-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. For bilingual students, evaluations should be completed by a bilingual evaluator or with a trained interpreter and appropriate assessment tools, a legal requirement often overlooked.
My child is bilingual. Why does that matter for the evaluation?+
It matters enormously. Federal and state law require that students be evaluated in their native language and that assessments not be culturally or linguistically biased. Using an English-only evaluation on a bilingual student risks mislabeling a language difference as a language disorder, one of the most common causes of misplacement in special education.
What is a CPSE evaluation?+
A CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) evaluation is for children ages 3 to 5 who may need speech, occupational, physical, or special education services before kindergarten. It is initiated by parent request or aging out of Early Intervention. Services are provided at no cost to families.
What is a CSE evaluation?+
A CSE (Committee on Special Education) evaluation is for school-age children (K-12) suspected of having a disability that impacts learning. Speech-language evaluations are one component of the CSE process and determine eligibility for related services or a Speech Impairment classification.
How do I request an evaluation from my school district?+
In New York, parents can request an evaluation in writing at any time. Send a signed letter to your school's CPSE or CSE chairperson stating that you request a full evaluation, including speech-language. The district has 60 days to complete evaluations and hold an eligibility meeting.
Can I request a private evaluation instead?+
Yes. Parents can obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at their own expense at any time, and in some cases the district must pay for one. Private evaluations are also useful when families want a second opinion, a faster timeline, or a bilingual evaluator the district cannot provide.
What does the evaluation cover?+
A comprehensive evaluation typically includes receptive language, expressive language, articulation and phonology, social communication (pragmatics), fluency (stuttering), voice, and, when relevant, literacy-related language skills such as phonological awareness and narrative structure.
What standardized tests do you use?+
We select tests based on the student's age, language profile, and referral concern. Commonly used tools include the CELF-5, PLS-5, EVT-3, PPVT-5, GFTA-3, CASL-2, TILLS, and bilingual assessments such as the BESA and Spanish/English Bilingual English-Spanish Assessment. Standardized scores are always interpreted alongside clinical observation and dynamic assessment.
How long does the evaluation take?+
The direct assessment is usually 90-120 minutes, often split across two sessions for younger students. Report writing, record review, and observation add another 4-6 hours behind the scenes. Written reports are delivered within 10 business days.
What is in the written report?+
Reports include background information, current concerns, standardized test scores, clinical observations, language samples, cultural and linguistic considerations, diagnostic impressions, and specific, measurable recommendations for goals and services.
What if the evaluation shows my child doesn't qualify?+
Not qualifying is not a failure, it means your child's communication skills are within expected ranges. If concerns remain, we can recommend private therapy, parent coaching, or monitoring. You'll always leave with a plan, not a shrug.
Can the evaluation happen at my child's school?+
Yes. When contracted by a district, we conduct evaluations on-site. When completed privately, we can meet at your home, our office, or another comfortable location.
Do you evaluate for dyslexia or reading disorders?+
SLPs evaluate the language underpinnings of literacy (phonological awareness, vocabulary, narrative and syntax, oral reading). A formal dyslexia diagnosis typically involves a psychoeducational evaluation, and we collaborate with those professionals when needed.
Will my child be pulled from class for the evaluation?+
Some direct assessment must happen 1-on-1 in a quiet space, which usually means being pulled from class for a short time. We coordinate with teachers to minimize disruption and choose times that don't conflict with high-priority subjects.
How is the evaluation different for autistic students?+
For autistic and neurodivergent students, we assess communication in the context of the child's own communication style rather than measuring compliance with neurotypical norms. Social-communication observations focus on connection, self-advocacy, and access, not eye contact for its own sake.
What if I disagree with the school's evaluation?+
You have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at district expense. We regularly complete IEEs for families across NYC and Long Island and are experienced in supporting families through IEP meetings that follow.
Do you attend IEP meetings?+
Yes. We can attend CPSE, CSE, and annual review meetings to present findings and advocate for appropriate services. This is billed separately and is optional.
How do I get started?+
Book a free 15-minute call. We'll ask about your concerns, review any existing evaluations, and lay out your options, including whether a screening, a private evaluation, or an IEE is the right next step.
Parent Resources
Free tools we'll send when you book
- ✓How to request a CPSE or CSE evaluation (parent template letter)
- ✓Questions to ask at your child's IEP meeting
- ✓Understanding your rights to an Independent Educational Evaluation
- ✓Bilingual evaluation: what to expect
Let's take the first step, hand in hand.
Book a complimentary 15-minute call with a licensed speech-language pathologist. No pressure, no paperwork, just answers.