Developmental delays occur in students, ages three through five, who are functioning at, or lower than, 75 percent of the normal rate of development, or who perform 1.5 standard deviations or more below the mean in consideration of 1.0 standard error of measurement on a standardized evaluation instrument, in two or more of the following areas: 

  • cognition,
  • physical development,
  • communication,
  • social-emotional, and/or
  • self-help skills.

Effective July 1, 2023, the age range defined for developmental delay will be extended to include ages three through six.

Effective July 1, 2024, the age range defined for developmental delay will be extended to include ages three through seven.

WVDE Guidance – Developmental Delay: Evaluation and Eligibility Guidance for West Virginia Schools (Feb 2023)

This document provides eligibility and evaluation guidance for developmental delay as well as recommendations for implementing the policy changes relevant to this exceptionality.

Download the Guidance Document