Which statement best differentiates eligibility from placement in SPED?

Which statement best differentiates eligibility from placement in SPED?

• A. Placement refers to the setting and program in which services are delivered.
• B. Placement determines eligibility for services.
• C. Eligibility determines whether a student qualifies for services; placement refers to the setting and program in which services are delivered.
• D. Eligibility is the same as placement.

Answer: (C)

In SPED, eligibility is the determination that a student has a qualifying disability and needs specially designed instruction, based on a thorough evaluation. Placement is the decision about where and how services are provided—the setting and program in which those services are delivered, within the least restrictive environment. So the best statement is that eligibility determines whether a student qualifies for services; placement refers to the setting and program in which services are delivered. The other options either mix up the two concepts or treat them as the same.

In SPED, eligibility is the determination that a student has a qualifying disability and needs specially designed instruction, based on a thorough evaluation. Placement is the decision about where and how services are provided—the setting and program in which those services are delivered, within the least restrictive environment. So the best statement is that eligibility determines whether a student qualifies for services; placement refers to the setting and program in which services are delivered. The other options either mix up the two concepts or treat them as the same.