A referral for identification of an individual (ages 0-21) with a possible special need may come from the following:

• Parent/Legal Guardian Administrator

• Student Study Team Physician

• Community Agency Concerned Person

• Teacher

In order to provide special services, the following process has been established to conform with federal and state regulations:

REFERRAL
A letter should be sent to your child’s teacher, your school principal, or special education administrator requesting an assessment. Within 15 days of receipt of your letter, the district will provide you with a written, proposed assessment plan containing a copy of the notice of parent rights. You have at least 15 days to approve the assessment plan. Upon your written approval of the assessment plan, the district has 50 calendar days to complete the assessment, conduct an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team meeting, and to determine eligibility for services. Parents are equal members of the team.

ASSESSMENT
Upon receipt of the approval for assessment, a case manager (usually a school psychologist or a member of the instructional support team) who will consult with the parents will be assigned. At this time, arrangements will be made to have the student’s strengths and possible needs evaluated.

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)
During this meeting, assessment results will be shared with the parent and/or representative. If it is determined by the IEP team that special education services are needed for your child, an educational program will be developed to meet your individual child’s needs. Parents are expected to be equal participants, along with school personnel, in developing, reviewing, and revising the child’s IEP.

APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT
Once the special needs of your child have been identified and the Individualized Education Program is developed, the next step is to determine appropriate placement. You and the school team will consider the least restrictive environment (LRE) where the student’s needs can appropriately be met (i.e., regular class with special services, regular class with Instructional Support Program (ISP), Special Day Class (SDC), or nonpublic, non-sectarian school services).

IEP REVIEW
Your child’s Individualized Education Program will be reviewed at least once a year to determine how well the program is meeting his/her needs. You may request a review at any time by contacting your child’s teacher, principal, or special education administrator.