SPECIAL EDUCATION IN NORTH DAKOTA - Guidelines for Serving Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Educational Settings

Oct 15, 2026

Guidelines for serving students with specific learning disabilities in North Dakota educational settings, prepared by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and aligned with federal IDEA requirements. The document recognizes IDEA definitions and characteristics, reviews related comorbid conditions, and outlines screening, early intervention, and North Dakota MTSS/continuous improvement processes. It details referral and evaluation planning for ages 3-21, assessment procedures using RTI/MTSS and discrepancy models, reevaluation steps, and how to prepare an integrated written assessment report to determine SLD eligibility.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages113

Reading Time4 h 45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Purpose

What is a Specific Learning Disability?

IDEA Definition

Areas of Specific Learning Disability

Definitions and Characteristics

Other Disorders Associated with SLD

SLD and Comorbid Conditions

Summary: What is SLD?

Screening and Early Intervention

North Dakota’s MTSS

Continuous Improvement

Essential Components of MTSS

Referral and Evaluation Planning for Students, Ages 3-21

What is an Appropriate Referral for Evaluation?

The MDT and the Evaluation Planning Process

The Student Profile: Evaluation

Assessment Plan

Eligibility Determination Options for SLD

Sources of Information for Assessment Planning

Special Considerations in Assessment Planning

Evaluation Procedures

Steps in the Evaluation Process: RTI/MTSS

Steps in the Evaluation Process: Discrepancy Model

Reevaluation Procedures

Review of Existing Data

Preparing the Integrated Written Assessment Report

Determining SLD and Eligibility for Special Education

Federal Requirements

SPECIAL EDUCATION IN NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Kristen Baesler, State Superintendent Office of Special Education 600 E. Boulevard Ave. , Dept. 201 Bismarck ND 58505-0440 701-328-2277 (voice) 701-328-4920 (TDD) 701-328-4149 (Fax) Guidelines for Serving Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Educational Settings United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) The Department of Public Instruction appreciates the time and effort spent by the task force members in contributing to the development of this guidance document. TASK FORCE MEMBERS Facilitators: Lea Kugel and Bill Johnson Tricia Lee Dawn Miller Brigitte Johnson Linda Greenwood Randa Kinzler Kalyn Botz Shawna Allard Rachel Kjonaas Pam Peterson Beth Ziman Annette Kost Kerrie Oster Leona Zemliska Danielle Hawn Michelle Griffin Kiara Crosby Karla Hill FAQ on Response to Intervention – NDDPI (Appendix D) TASK FORCE MEMBERS Karen Hess Tricia Lee Mary Stammen Julie Kost Brenda Oas Annette Kost Dawn Miller Linda Jenkins Brenda Lipp Special Note “Unless otherwise specified, citations to “section” or “sec.” are citations to federal regulations implementing IDEA found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 34 CFR Part 300, which consists of 34 CFR secs. 300.1 through 300.818 and appendices A through E.” NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION The Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, please contact: Director of School District Support Services, Department of Public Instruction, 600 E Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201, Bismarck, ND 58505-0440, 701-328-2267. Equal educational opportunity is a priority of the ND Department of Public Instruction. Publication Date: (January, 2018) Cover artwork: Google Images-NHS West Kent Table of Contents Introduction and Purpose ................................................................................................................ 4 What is a Specific Learning Disability? ......................................................................................... 6 IDEA Definition.................................................................................................................. 6 Areas of Specific Learning Disability................................................................................. 7 Definitions and Characteristics ........................................................................................... 7 Other Disorders Associated with SLD.............................................................................. 10 SLD and Comorbid Conditions ........................................................................................ 11 Summary: What is SLD? .................................................................................................. 11 Screening and Early Intervention.................................................................................................. 12 North Dakota’s MTSS ...................................................................................................... 13 Continuous Improvement.................................................................................................. 13 Essential Components of MTSS ....................................................................................... 14 Referral and Evaluation Planning for Students, Ages 3-21 .......................................................... 16 What is an Appropriate Referral for Evaluation? ............................................................. 16 The MDT and the Evaluation Planning Process ............................................................... 17 The Student Profile: Evaluation ..........................................

FAQs

What does the document define as a specific learning disability (SLD)?

It presents IDEA definitions and the areas, characteristics, and related disorders associated with SLD to clarify how SLD is identified in educational settings.

How does North Dakota’s MTSS and continuous improvement relate to screening and early intervention?

The guidance explains North Dakota’s MTSS framework, continuous improvement expectations, and essential MTSS components to support screening and early intervention.

What evaluation steps are included to determine SLD eligibility for special education?

It outlines referral and evaluation planning for ages 3-21, assessment plan development, procedures using RTI/MTSS and the discrepancy model, reevaluation processes, and preparation of an integrated written assessment report.

Oct 15, 2026

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