Special Education Process – Referrals

HOW WILL MY CHILD BE ASSESSED FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Arrangements will be made to have your child’s strengths and needs evaluated. This will be done through assessment and conferences held among those who work with your child. The participants in this assessment process may include teachers, school psychologists, speech and language pathologists, nurses, and others. The assessment will be conducted only after the parents/guardians receive a detailed assessment plan and after the school receives written consent from the parents/guardians. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting will be held within sixty days of the date the signed assessment plan is received by the district.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO DEVELOP A STRONG IEP FOR THEIR CHILD?

Prior to the Meeting: 

• Conference with your student's teacher(s)

• Review or request a copy of any information, evaluation, assessment results, etc., that were conducted for your child.

• Jot down any questions you may have or any suggestions you wish to make regarding educational objectives, health issues, transportation, schedules, and insights you have about your child’s strengths and needs.

During the Meeting:

•  Your input as the parent is critical, please share your concerns.

•  Know that the offer of service for your child is collaboratively developed by the IEP team.

•  Ask questions of feel free to take a break if needed

After the Meeting: 

• Review the IEP and any other documents you received at the meeting.

• Maintain a file of important IEP papers, assessments, and staff contacts.

• If you have any questions or concerns, call the case manager or an appropriate member of the IEP team.

• As appropriate, share information with your child.

WHAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) MEETING?

After the assessment has been completed, the parent or guardian will be invited to attend an IEP meeting. The date and time of the meeting is mutually set by all participants. The parent or guardian may also wish to bring along other persons to this meeting. At the IEP meeting, district staff will present the results of their assessment. Parents are encouraged to participate, ask questions and become fully informed as to their child’s strengths and needs.

After the assessment information is presented and discussed, the members of the IEP team will determine the student’s eligibility for Special Education services in accordance with State and Federal guidelines. If the student is found eligible for Special Education services, the IEP will include the following:

• A summary of the assessment findings including the students current levels of performance

• A statement of student goals and objectives that will be addressed over the next six to twelve months. Goals and objectives are written so that student progress can be objectively measured. The team will suggest methods of meeting these goals and objectives and will make maximum use of the child's strengths and abilities. A description of evaluation criteria will also be included to determine how well the plan is working.

• Specific services will be identified which are determined to be appropriate in meeting the child’s goals and objectives.

• A recommendation for services, start date and anticipated frequency and duration of Special Education services will also be provided.

WHAT ARE MY PARENT RIGHTS?

Parents are notified of their rights at various stages throughout the IEP process and at least annually. Parent rights include the right to request an IEP meeting; the right to review assessment information; the right to have their eligible child receive free and appropriate educational services in the least restrictive environment. Remember, if you have any questions, school district personnel are here to assist you.

Your consent is also required before the IEP can be put into effect. If you are uncertain at the end of the meetingas to whether you want the plan to go into effect, you may wish to ask for further clarification. The IEP team and your students case manager is your resource and will provide you with any information you may require. Those components of the plan which are approved may be implemented; however, you have other rights if you disagree with the plan. Any questions about your rights can be answered by the school personnel.

For more information, see Update: Parent Rights

HOW OFTEN WILL THE IEP TEAM MEET?

IEP meetings will be held at least annually for your child. If you have concerns about your child's progress, ask for a conference with your child's case manager. If your concerns require further attention, you can always request an IEP meeting. The team is obligated to schedule a meeting within 30 days of a parent request.