Any person with a legitimate and appropriate interest in a student’s educational program may refer a child for an evaluation for speech-language services. A consent for evaluation must be signed by a parent and returned to the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) after the referral is given.

Once a student has been referred, the student's parents will be contacted by the school SLP. A folder will then be sent home that includes instructions for obtaining consent for evaluation, providing case history about the referred student, and a copy of Procedural Safeguards (your parental rights).

To consent to the evaluation, an email will be sent to the parent with instructions to sign a document titled "Written Prior Notice and Consent for Evaluation." This document must be signed as soon as possible, as the school SLP cannot begin the evaluation until they have received consent.

The case history form should be filled out and returned to the school SLP, while the Procedural Safeguards document should be kept by the parent.

Once you have signed the consent for evaluation form online, the evaluation will be completed and results will be presented to the parent at an in-person or online meeting. 

After a student has been evaluated, the parents will be notified of the results. If the student qualifies for services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting will be set. This meeting includes all members of the IEP team, including parent(s), classroom teacher, principal, SLP, and special education teacher and related service providers if necessary (such as the psychologist or occupation therapist), and anyone else that the parents feel would be helpful. The results of the evaluation will be explained, services will be offered, and parents can accept or reject these services.

To qualify for speech-langauge services, the student must receive a score that is 1.5-2.0 standard deviations below the mean on a standardized test and be identified by the SLP as having a communication disorder that adversely affects his or her education performance.

If it is determined that services are needed and wanted, a Prior Notice of Eligibility Determination will be signed. An IEP will be discussed, approved, and signed by all members of the IEP team. This is done as a team decision. A Written Prior Notice and Consent for Initial Placement in Special Education will be signed.

Once the IEP is in place, the student will begin receiving speech services.