Referring a Child for Special Education Services

Where to start...

The first thing you need to do is contact your campus principal or counselor with your concerns. The initial referral should be made in writing to the principal or assistant principal. The referral can be initiated by a parent, student, guardian, physician, teacher or other appropriate individual. When all requested information is received, the Student Intervention Team (SIT) will determine whether or not to refer the student for evaluation for special education eligibility.

Student Intervention Team (SIT)

The Student Intervention Team (SIT) usually consists of a campus administrator, counselor and general education teachers. The SIT meets to review the progress of the student’s current educational programs, interventions, and recommendations. The SIT determines if a student needs to be referred for special education assessment for a suspected area of disability.

Special Education Eligibility

A student is eligible for special education services if they meet the criteria for one or more of the following disabilities:
 

• Learning Disability
• Speech Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Autism
• Multiple Disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment
• Auditory Impairment
• Deaf-Blindness Service
• Non-categorical

Student Evaluation

The campus is required to notify the parent of the referral for Special Education assessment and to obtain parental consent for the recommended evaluation. The District will begin the evaluation only after written consent has been received.

After the Evaluation

After the evaluation, a written report is compiled that should provide you and the school with information related to your child’s level of performance and educational needs. You will receive feedback of the evaluation and be able to ask questions prior to the ARD committee meeting.

Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD)

ARD is a committee comprised of the parent(s)/guardian of the student, a regular education teacher, at least one special education teacher and a representative of the school who is qual if ied to provide or supervise instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

The ARD Committee

The ARD committee develops the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a written plan describing the provision of special education and related services for your child once a disability has been determined.

After the IEP

After an IEP is written, the ARD committee must determine the educational setting or placement where the special education and related services will be provided. The student will be placed in the educational setting that provides the most opportunities to be educated with students who do not have disabilities (Least Restrictive Environment).

Student Review

The ARD committee meets once a year to review the student’s progress. Reevaluation needs are reviewed in an ARD meeting at least every three (3) years.