When to ask for Special Education Testing for Eligibility
If you suspect that your child may have a disability or learning difficulty that requires special education services, you have the right to request an evaluation from your child’s school. Here’s how to initiate the process:
Contact the School: Contact your child’s teacher, counselor, or special education coordinator to express your concerns and request an evaluation. Make your request in writing to ensure clarity and documentation.
Ask your child’s teacher to place them in RTI, Response to Intervention, or Tier Two. In some states, RTI is required before special education.
Provide Information: Share any relevant information about your child’s academic performance, behavior, and developmental history. Include documentation of previous assessments, medical diagnoses, or interventions they have received.
Request in Writing: Write a formal letter to the school district’s special education department requesting an evaluation for your child. Include your child’s name, date of birth, school, and a brief description of your concerns regarding their educational needs.
Attend Meetings: Once your request is received, the school will schedule a meeting with you to discuss the evaluation process, obtain consent for testing, and gather additional information about your child’s strengths and challenges.
Participate in the Evaluation: Your child will undergo a series of assessments conducted by qualified professionals, such as psychologists, special education teachers, speech therapists, or occupational therapists. You may be asked to provide consent for specific assessments or interventions.
After completing the assessments, the evaluation team will compile a comprehensive report summarizing their findings and recommendations. Ask for the reports to be either emailed to you or you pick them up from school. Do not allow them to mail them as they will probably not arrive in time for the meeting. Review the report carefully and participate in developing your child’s IEP based on the evaluation results.
If you do not understand the reports, try Googling the topics that are confusing. The Internet contains a wealth of knowledge from reputable sources.
Advocate for Your Child: Be active in the special education process, advocating for your child’s needs and ensuring that the services outlined in their IEP are implemented effectively. Collaborate with school staff to monitor your child’s progress and adjust their educational plan as needed.
If you think your child may have a disability or learning challenge that requires special education services, you can request an evaluation from their school. Start by contacting your child’s teacher, counselor, or special education coordinator to discuss your concerns and request an evaluation in writing.
Ask about placing your child in Response to Intervention (RTI), or Tier Two, as some states require it before special education. Share details about your child's academic performance, behavior, and development, including past assessments, diagnoses, or interventions.
Write a formal evaluation request to the school district’s special education department. Include your child’s name, birthday, school, and a summary of your concerns. The school will then schedule a meeting to discuss the evaluation process, get your consent for testing, and gather more information about your child.
Your child will be assessed by qualified professionals. You may need to consent to specific assessments or interventions. Afterward, the evaluation team will create a report with their findings and recommendations. Ask for the report to be emailed or for you to pick it up, so you have it in time for the meeting to develop your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). If you have trouble understanding the report, research the confusing topics online.
Stay involved in the special education process, advocating for your child and ensuring their IEP services are provided effectively. Work with the school to track your child’s progress and adjust their plan as needed.
