In a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE), which data sources should be integrated to inform eligibility decisions?

• A. Only standardized tests
• B. Teacher reports and student attendance records
• C. Tests, work samples, observations, and interviews
• D. Only parent questionnaires

Answer: (C)

In a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation, decisions about eligibility are based on a comprehensive mix of information from several sources. This approach brings together multiple perspectives and types of evidence to form a complete view of the student’s abilities and needs across academic, cognitive, social-emotional, communication, and functional domains. Standardized tests provide norm-referenced benchmarks, while work samples show how the student applies skills in real tasks. Observations capture performance and behavior in natural settings, and interviews with the student, parents, and teachers supply context, history, and personal insights. Relying on a single data source can miss important factors or misrepresent a student’s functioning, but combining these sources allows for triangulation and a more accurate determination of whether the student has a disability and needs specialized instruction or related services.