Guidelines for Special Education
Does My Child Need Special Education Services?
Does My Child Need Special Education Services?
Ask Questions from the Start
Ask Questions from the Start
If you believe your child requires special education services, it is helpful to ask the right questions. Here are some questions you might want to ask your child’s teacher:
If you believe your child requires special education services, it is helpful to ask the right questions. Here are some questions you might want to ask your child’s teacher:
■ What are my child’s strengths and challenges in the classroom?
■ What are my child’s strengths and challenges in the classroom?
■ How do you support my child when they need help?
■ How do you support my child when they need help?
■ Do you have examples of my child’s work that we can look at together?
■ Do you have examples of my child’s work that we can look at together?
■ Is my child learning and developing at a rate that is expected for their age?
■ Is my child learning and developing at a rate that is expected for their age?
■ How does my child get along with other students in the classroom?
■ How does my child get along with other students in the classroom?
■ Are there programs in the community that might help my child?
■ Are there programs in the community that might help my child?
■ What are some learning activities I can do at home or in the neighborhood?
■ What are some learning activities I can do at home or in the neighborhood?
■ What are some questions I can ask my child when we read together?
■ What are some questions I can ask my child when we read together?
■ How can I help my child if they are struggling with homework?
■ How can I help my child if they are struggling with homework?
Step 1: Initial Referral or Request for Referral | see page 3
Step 1: Initial Referral or Request for Referral | see page 3
The first step is determining if your child has a disability and requires special education services.
The first step is determining if your child has a disability and requires special education services.
You or a school official may start the process with an initial referral, or another individual may make a request for referral.
You or a school official may start the process with an initial referral, or another individual may make a request for referral.
Once an initial referral has been made, you will be invited to a social history meeting.
Once an initial referral has been made, you will be invited to a social history meeting.
A school social worker will explain the special education process and will request your written consent to evaluate your child.
A school social worker will explain the special education process and will request your written consent to evaluate your child.
Step 2: Evaluation | see page 5
Step 2: Evaluation | see page 5
Once you give consent, your child will be evaluated to determine their developmental history and behavior, what they know and how they learn, and their skills, abilities and areas of need.
Once you give consent, your child will be evaluated to determine their developmental history and behavior, what they know and how they learn, and their skills, abilities and areas of need.
The DOE will conduct assessments in all areas related to the suspected disability.
The DOE will conduct assessments in all areas related to the suspected disability.
If your child’s home language is not English, the evaluation can be conducted bilingually.
If your child’s home language is not English, the evaluation can be conducted bilingually.
Step 3: IEP Meeting | see page 7
Step 3: IEP Meeting | see page 7
After the evaluation is complete, you will attend the IEP meeting to discuss the assessments and determine if your child is eligible for special education services.
After the evaluation is complete, you will attend the IEP meeting to discuss the assessments and determine if your child is eligible for special education services.
If your child is eligible, the IEP team—of which you are an important member—will create an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
If your child is eligible, the IEP team—of which you are an important member—will create an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
If your child is attending a private or religious school and is eligible for special education services, the team will create an Individualized Educational Services Plan (IESP). For more information about IESPs, see page 17. *
If your child is attending a private or religious school and is eligible for special education services, the team will create an Individualized Educational Services Plan (IESP). For more information about IESPs, see page 17. *
At any point during this process, it may be determined that your child is is not eligible or does not require special education services. (See Eligibility on page 9 for more information.)
At any point during this process, it may be determined that your child is is not eligible or does not require special education services. (See Eligibility on page 9 for more information.)
Determining Eligibility | see page 9
Determining Eligibility | see page 9
The IEP team will decide if your child is eligible for special education services based on the criteria for one or more of these disability classifications: ■ Autism
The IEP team will decide if your child is eligible for special education services based on the criteria for one or more of these disability classifications: ■ Autism
■ Learning Disability
■ Learning Disability
■ Other Health Impairment
■ Other Health Impairment
■ Deafness
■ Deafness
■ Intellectual Disability
■ Intellectual Disability
■ Speech or Language Impairment
■ Speech or Language Impairment
■ Deaf-Blindness
■ Deaf-Blindness
■ Multiple Disabilities
■ Multiple Disabilities
■ Traumatic Brain Injury
■ Traumatic Brain Injury
■ Emotional Disturbance
■ Emotional Disturbance
■ Orthopedic Impairment
■ Orthopedic Impairment
■ Visual Impairment
■ Visual Impairment
■ Hearing Impairment
■ Hearing Impairment
What Is an IEP? | see page 17
What Is an IEP? | see page 17
The IEP is a written statement of the plan to provide special education services to meet your child’s unique needs.
The IEP is a written statement of the plan to provide special education services to meet your child’s unique needs.
It has specific information about your child and the education program designed to meet these needs, including: ■ Your child’s current performance in school and annual goals; ■ Special education programs and services including related services; ■ Participation in state and district wide tests, testing accommodations and diploma objectives.
It has specific information about your child and the education program designed to meet these needs, including: ■ Your child’s current performance in school and annual goals; ■ Special education programs and services including related services; ■ Participation in state and district wide tests, testing accommodations and diploma objectives.