California Department of Education, Special Education Division Policy Memo:
Important Change in the DRDP Instruments used for Preschool Special Education
Beginning September 1, 2009 all new preschool-age children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) will be assessed using only the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) access.
This change does not affect preschool-age children with IEPs who were assessed prior to September 1; these children will continue to be assessed with the same instrument that was previously used, whether the DRDP access or the DRDP-R.
Why this Change was Made
- The California Department of Education (CDE), Child Development Division (CDD) is revising the DRDP-R instruments for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The revised instruments will be released for informational purposes in fall, 2009. These instruments will be required for CDD-funded child development programs beginning in fall, 2010.
- The new preschool version of the DRDP-R is not being studied with preschool children with disabilities. Therefore, the newly revised version of the DRDP-R cannot be used for statewide assessment and mandatory federal reporting for preschool special education.
- In preparation for this upcoming change in the version of the DRDP-R that will be used in CDD-funded programs, all preschool-age children with initial IEPs that begin on, or after September 1, 2009 will be assessed using only the DRDP access. Preschool-age children with existing IEPs in place prior to September 1, 2009 who were assessed using the current DRDP-R will continue to be assessed using the current DRDP-R until they exit preschool special education.
Specific Guidelines
- All children entering preschool special education beginning September 1 will only be assessed using the DRDP access.
- Children who received at least one DRDP assessment before September 1 will continue to be assessed with the instrument previously used. For example:
- Children with an IEP before September 1 who have been assessed on the DRDP access will continue to be assessed on the DRDP access.
- Children with an IEP before September 1 who have been assessed on the DRDP-R will continue to be assessed on the DRDP-R.
- Children who entered special education in the spring or summer after the deadline for the spring, 2009 DRDP assessment (April 1, 2009) and before September 1 will be assessed with the instrument determined by the IEP team, either the DRDP access or the DRDP-R.
- Children who begin preschool special education services on or after September 1 will be assessed with the DRDP access.
- The newly revised version of the DRDP-R will not be used by preschool special education.
- SELPAs cannot switch instruments for those children who have been assessed on the DRDP-R.
IEP Team Responsibilities Beginning September 1, 2009
- Beginning September 1, IEP teams will no longer determine which instrument to use for children receiving preschool special education services.
- IEP teams will continue to document the adaptations that each child uses on a daily basis and will be used when completing the DRDP assessment.
Please direct questions to Meredith Cathcart at mcathcart@cde.ca.gov (916) 327-3702
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Last updated: 03/19/2012