The Special Education Process

Meeting at School

Process Stages:

  • The school team and/or parent/guardian notices academic or behavior difficulty
  • Pediatrician or medical provider indicated a diagnosis of a medical condition
  • Outside evaluation by another professional

Actions:

  • Meeting with school team and parent/guardian
  • Suggestions for interventions and resources

Information Collection

Process Stages:

  • Areas of concern are reviewed
  • Team and parent/guardian work together to gather data

Actions:

  • The team collections academic or behavior information by using interventions

Testing Permission

Process Stages:

  • The team presents a permission to complete a special education evaluation
  • The parent/guardian can choose to give the team permission & receives a copy of parent/guardian special education rights
  • You have a right to refuse assessment

Actions:

  • The consent should include specific assessments and information about development, culture, and language

Evaluation

Process Stages:

  • Evaluation occurs within 60 school days and a report is provided to parent/guardian

Actions:

  • School specialists will complete assessments and gather additional information

Evaluations & Eligibility Meeting

Process Stages:

  • After the assessments are completed the parent/guardian receives an invitation to a meeting to discuss possible eligibility for special education

Actions:

  • If qualified, an individual Education Program is created. If parent/guardian agree to services meeting invitation is provided, eligibility discussion & development of an individual Education Plan is presented.

OR

  • Does not qualify, no IEP needed

Individualized Education Plan

Process Stages:

  • Parents/guardians have rights to request additional meetings
  • They also have the right to refuse services any time, now or in the future
  • Interpreter present

Actions:

  • Parents/guardians give input about IEP goals
  • This plan is reviewed at a meeting 1 time per year to make sure progress is being made
  • Every 3 years, the student is evaluated again to see if the still qualify for services