This report discusses policies and practices for family-directed child evaluation and assessment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The scope of the report includes practices across the early childhood spectrum, from birth through 5 years. Commonly used terminology is defined. Issues discussed include: the primacy of families with respect to their children, cultural and linguistic diversity, the use of technological advances, and information about a child's health status and needs. Brief recommendations for policymakers are given and lists of the U.S. Department of Education's Early Education Program for Children with Disabilities (EEPCD) projects, as well as other resources, are included. (SG)