PARENT AND ADVOCATE CHECKLIST
Does your child struggle in school? Do you suspect your son or daughter may have a disability and need additional services? Has a doctor or teacher suggested you have your child evaluated, but you don’t know where to begin?
Your student can obtain a free evaluation (and perhaps follow-up services) from your local school district—even if your child is in a private school or homeschooled.
STEP 1 – Referral
Under a federally mandated process called Child Find, all school districts must locate, identify, and evaluate all students ages 3-21 suspected of having a disability. This includes students in private schools and homeschooled students.
Who Initiates the Referral? A parent or private school staff may start the process by contacting their local school and asking for a child to be evaluated. This request may be verbal, but it is better to put it in writing.
What School District Is Responsible? If your child attends a non-profit private school, the school district in which the private school is located is responsible for providing services. If your child is homeschooled, it is the school district in which the family lives.
What Is the Evaluation Timeline? Once the parent consents, the student’s evaluation must be conducted within 60 days. (States timelines may vary.)
When Evaluations Are Denied
Schools can deny evaluation requests. If they do, they must notify families in writing with an explanation for the refusal. This is called giving prior written notice.
STEP 2 – Evaluation
Evaluation results help determine a student’s eligibility for special education and related services.
How Does the Evaluation Process Work? The school’s team reviews all information about the student, including test scores, grades, teacher observations, and parents’ thoughts and concerns. Next, the school’s team decides if a child has a disability, whether your child needs specially designed education and related services, or whether more information is needed.
What Happens If Parents Disagree with the Results? Parents have the right to take their child for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the district’s expense.
STEP 3 – Eligibility
The evaluation team–including school and district professionals and parents–will then meet to discuss the evaluation results. Together the team will decide if your child is eligible for special education and related services as defined by state and federal law.
If the student receives a diagnosis, the district must offer a “free and appropriate public education” (FAPE).
If the Family Chooses to Attend Public School: The school will develop an individualized education program (IEP) for the student.
If the Family Remains in a Private School: The district will develop a service plan.
If Parents Disagree with the Evaluation Process: Parents or private school representatives may file a complaint with the state department of education.
STEP 4 – Service Plan
A service plan will not be as comprehensive as an IEP. However, it will identify the special education and related services the district offers free of charge to private school and homeschool students.
- Where Do Services Take Place? Students may not be able to receive services at their private school. The district can require students to go to a public school for services like speech therapy sessions.
Please note that the district can and may alter its plan for these services at any time. Parents have the right to participate in annual decision-making meetings, and a private school representative must attend each service plan meeting.
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