Exclusionary Factors

One important aspect of determining eligibility for a disability is addressing the exclusionary factors.  These are factors that must be considered and ruled out before deciding a child has a particular disability.  Certain factors are likely to cause students to look as if they are disabled when in fact they are reacting to these experiences These factors include: sensory, environmental factors, cultural factors, economic factors, Limited English Proficiency, and Lack of Adequate Instruction. Consider these factors and determine if they are the primary cause to the student’s difficulty or the disability is the primary cause.

NOTE: refer back to previous sections of the Evaluation Report, especially Special Considerations, to make sure that your statements in this section match all reported information.   Upon completion of the administration of assessments and other evaluation measures a group of qualified professionals and the parent of the student should meet to determine whether the student is a child with a disability. The student must not be determined to have a disability if the determinant factor for the decision is: 

a. lack of appropriate instruction in reading, including the essential components of reading instruction; 

b. lack of appropriate instruction in math; or 

c. limited English proficiency; and 

d. the student does not otherwise meet the state’s eligibility criteria. 

Certain factors are likely to cause students to look as if they are disabled when in fact they are reacting to these experiences 

• • Sensory 

  • Environmental Factors

  • Cultural Factors

  • Economic Factors

  • Limited English Proficiency

  • Lack of Adequate Instruction
    
    

Consider these factors and determine if they are the primary cause to the student’s difficulty or the disability is the primary cause 

Information used in addressing each exclusionary factor is embedded in the body of the report. The Evaluation Guiding Documents specifically address each of the exclusionary factors by the procedures used. Exclusionary Factors are addressed on the criteria page for disability categories that require exclusionary factors to be considered.