Referral Process

 

Prior to a student being evaluated for special education, the district attempts to remediate deficits through interventions and accommodations that can be provided in the regular education classroom. If the student does not respond to these interventions and continues to make inadequate progress, a referral for a special education evaluation may be made. The teacher will communicate concerns to the parent. Then, the student's teacher works closely with the building principal, intervention teachers, and other school staff, to make a recommendation for an evaluation to the school psychologist.

 

The school psychologist will issue a "Prior Written Notice for Initial Evaluation and Request for Consent Form" (commonly known as a Permission to Evaluate or PTE) to the parent of the student recommended for an evaluation. An evaluation cannot be completed until signed parental consent is received. Once the district has obtained signed parental consent, the team has 60 calendar days to complete an evaluation. By the 60th day, the parent will receive the evaluation report (ER) which documents the findings of the evaluation.

 

At any time, a parent may request that his or her child be evaluated for special education services. The district requires this request to be in writing. If an oral request is made, the parent will be sent a "Permission to Evaluate - Request Form" (PTE-Request), which will allow the parent to put their request in writing. Following receipt of that form, the "Prior Written Notice for Initial Evaluation and Request for Consent Form" (commonly known as a Permission to Evaluate or PTE) will be mailed to the parent.

 

If the parent request is already in writing, the Prior Written Notice for Initial Evaluation and Request for Consent Form will be mailed. An evaluation cannot be completed until signed parental consent is received. Once the district has obtained signed parental consent, the team has 60 calendar days to complete an evaluation. By the 60th day, the parent will receive the evaluation report (ER) which documents the findings of the evaluation.

 

Upon receiving a parental request for testing, the district may choose to deny an evaluation if the district does not feel an evaluation is necessary. Before denying an evaluation, the school psychologist works closely with the student's educational team, as well as the parents, to discuss reasons for the denial, and solutions to concerns that led to the request in the first place.

 

This document outlines a parent's rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in regard to a student receiving special education.