CST Process

IDENTIFICATION

Any request for an evaluation by the school district must be in writing to ensure their child’s rights are protected.
A screening of the student is conducted at that time.

-vision and hearing screening and summary of child’s health information of the student conducted by the school nurse.

-A summary of the child’s academic progress and behavior by the student's teacher.

An initial meeting will be held within 20 days of receiving the request to determine whether a formal evaluation is warranted.

-must include the parent(s), the student’s classroom teacher and a Child Study Team (CST), which consists of a school psychologist, a learning disabilities teacher-consultant (LDTC), a school social worker and, in certain cases, a speech-language specialist or other specialists as needed.

EVALUATION PROCESS

1. - During the identification meeting, a determination is made as to whether or not a student will receive formal evaluations. The CST must provide a parent with a written notice if the request for evaluations is denied.
  - If evaluations are agreed to, the Director of Special Education will assign one of the CST members to act as case manager for the student. A complete assessment of the student in all areas of suspected disabilities will be performed.
  - A parent must provide written consent to the evaluations and must receive a written notice confirming what evaluations will be conducted.
  - The assessments must include, but are not limited to:

-At least two assessments by members of the CST

-Other specialists (i.e. neurologist, audiologist, psychiatrist (for behavioral or emotional problems, etc.) in all areas of suspected disability

- The use of appropriate standardized tests

-A functional academic and/or behavior observation in which the appropriate member of the CST observes the student and describes the student’s performance and/or behavior.

The school district has 90 days from the date of the parent’s written consent to evaluate the student, determine whether the student is eligible for special education services and, if eligible, develop and implement an appropriate program.
Parents must receive copies of all the evaluations at least 10 days before the eligibility meeting is held.
Whether a student needs special education services is a joint decision made at an eligibility meeting by the parent(s), teachers, the case manager and other members of the CST.
These participants review reports and other relevant input and decide if the student will be “classified” as “eligible for special education and related services.” If the student is found eligible, the IEP team will meet to develop the IEP.
At least one re-evaluation must occur every three years following the initial evaluations, unless the parent signs a written consent stating that a re-evaluation is unnecessary. However, re-evaluations or new evaluations may be conducted at other times if it appears that a student’s needs are not being met.

THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)

Once a student has been evaluated and determined eligible for special education and related services, the next step is to develop an Individualized Education Program, or IEP.
The IEP is the written agreement between the school district and parent(s). It identifies all programs and services that meet the student’s education needs as determined through the evaluation process.
The IEP is a written plan that identifies: Present levels of the student’s achievement and performance, Measurable annual goals and short-term objectives or benchmarks, Teaching activities and other services specially designed for that student with the intent of enabling that student to meet his goals and objectives.
The initial IEP cannot be implemented without a parent’s written consent.
The IEP team must meet to review the IEP once a year typically around the anniversary of the first IEP meeting. At that time, a new IEP, with any appropriate changes, must be implemented. However, the IEP team can meet at any time during the year if it is necessary to discuss problems or to change the IEP.
After the first IEP, the school district can change the IEP at the annual meeting without the parent’s written consent. The only way that a parent can object or reject a new IEP is to request mediation or a due process hearing within 15 calendar days of receiving the proposed changed IEP.

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