Re: School Issues-Do they HAVE to evaluate your child?

[Guest guest]

Judy, here's an excerpt from our Parent Handbook:

" A group of qualified individuals (to include you as a parent) must

decide whether an evaluation will be conducted. If the group decides

not to evaluate your child, you must be notified in writing of the

decision and the reason. If an evaluation will be conducted, the

group will discuss your concerns and the types of testing and other

procedures that will be used to determine if your child needs special

education services. If you disagree with the group's decision, you

have the right to request a due process hearing. "

**If they verbally refused you, you need to ask them to put it in

writing. It also had this for our state, so your's will have some

time limit set too, I'm sure:

" You must file a petition within sixty (60) days of written notice of

the contested action with the Office of Administrative Hearings. That

means that you have 60 days from the date of an IEP or other written

documents with which you disagree to file for a hearing. "

***Just a FYI for all, here's another excerpt:

" A referral is a written request for an evaluation, which is given to

the public school when a child is suspected of having a disability

and might need special education services. When any person, including

the parents or agency, thinks that a child may need special education

services, that person or agency should tell school personnel in

writing the reason(s) for referring the child for testing/evaluation.

The referral should include the child's specific problem, current

strengths, and weaknesses. "