One of the most significant changes in IDEA 97 relates to how the evaluation process should be viewed. "The committee believes that a child should not be subjected to unnecessary tests and assessments...and the LEA should not be saddled with associated expenses unnecessarily." (Committee on Labor and Human Resources, p. 19)
Evaluation activities should include gathering information related to enabling the child to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum or, for preschool children, to participate in appropriate activities.