Programs & Services / Special Education Process

State and federal laws require that all school districts provide special education programs and services to resident school-age children with disabilities.

To access these services the following process is used:

  1. A referral is made by teachers, parents, physicians, private and public programs, and health and human service agencies.
    a. Referral is a formal, ongoing process for receiving and responding to referrals when a student shows signs of potentially needing special education and related services. The referral process includes district review of screening and other information on referred students     and the district’s decision about whether to conduct a formal special education evaluation.

  2. Pre-referral intervention strategies are designed and conducted.

    1. Prior to conducting a special education evaluation the general education teacher first brings the student's needs to the Student Assistant Team (SAT) where they develop interventions specific to the student’s needs. The teacher conducts the interventions and progress monitors the data of the intervention. If the team determines that adequate change or growth is not being accomplished with the intervention the student is then referred to the Child Study Assessment Team for an evaluation.

  3. An evaluation is conducted by the Child Study Team members to determine eligibility and educational need.

    1. Once the referral is received, the plan will be written up, sent home, and upon permission being returned the evaluation will begin. When the evaluation is complete (within 30 school days) another meeting will be scheduled to discuss the results and the educational options available to the student.

    2. Frequency of Reevaluations. A reevaluation conducted under paragraph (a) of this section
      (1) May occur not more than once a year unless the parents and the public agency agree otherwise; and
      (2) Must occur at least once every 3 years, unless the parent and the public agency agree that a reevaluation is unnecessary. 34 C.F.R.§ 300.303(b).

  4. An Individual Educational Plan (IEP), Individual Interagency Intervention Plan (IIIP), or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed.

    1. If the student is determined to be eligible for special education services a meeting will be held with the case manager to develop an IEP or IFSP.

    2. The IEP or IFSP is reviewed at several points throughout the school year. It must be updated at least once, annually.

    3. Services to meet a student’s special education needs are delivered.

    4. Identified goals and objectives are progress monitored and reported at the annual meeting.


Procedural Safeguards for parents of students eligible under Part B special education services are available here