How is a student referred for a Child Study Team evaluation?
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources, but they generally come from one of the following:
Parents may request a Child Study Team Evaluation by sending the request in writing to the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services & Programs.
Intervention and Referral Services (IR&S) is a building based inter-disciplinary group that meets regularly to provide intervention strategies for students experiencing difficulty in the classroom. Once the team determines that additional information may be necessary or feels that the student may have a potential disability, the student may be recommended for a CST evaluation.
What is the procedure after a referral has been made?
Once the referral has been made, a case manager has 20 days to schedule an Identification Meeting. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting would be a social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant, classroom teacher, speech and language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child was age 3-5) and certainly the parent.
Are student automatically tested if the request is made?
No. Once a request for a Child Study Team evaluation is made an Identification Meeting must be scheduled. At that meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted.
What is the procedure if a student is going to be evaluated?
Once it is determined that testing is necessary, the district then has 90 days to complete the necessary evaluations. Within the 90 days an Eligibility Meeting is scheduled where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special education and/or related services.
If a student is found eligible, does that mean she/he will be in a special education class?
No. Student placements are a joint decision with the parents. By law, school districts must place students in an educational setting to be the least restrictive and most appropriate. The student will have all the necessary supports and services to enable him or her to learn and fully participate as a valued member of the school community. The Least Restrictive Environment will look different for each child.