Listed below is the timeline for the evaluation process.

Referral

10 Working Days

Child Study Team

5 Working Days

Referral for Evaluation

• Psychological
• Socio-cultural
• Medical
• Educational

65 Working Days

Eligibility Committee

30 Calendar Days

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

as soon as possible

Placement

Before a student can be served in special education, there is a legal process through which he/she must be identified as a child with a disability.  This disability must affect educational performance to a marked degree in order for a child to receive special education services.  All children with disabilities are not automatically eligible for special education services.  Some common sense should be followed in deciding whether or not a child should be referred for evaluation to determine eligibility.  In considering a referral, the teacher or parent should ask him/herself, "Is this child functioning academically two or more years below  his/her age peers in all subjects or in a specific subject area?"  If this is true, the following factors should be considered:

1. ATTENDANCE:  Excessive absences may be responsible for poor educational performance.  Referral for truancy should be made.
2. STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES:  Scores that reflect a consistent pattern of low achievement in all areas (below the fifth percentile) may indicate a need to refer.  A consistent pattern of low achievement in a particular subject area (more than 20 points below other standard scores) may indicate a need to refer.
3. VISION AND HEARING:  If acuity in these areas has been screened (and corrected if necessary) and the student continues to have learning problems after a period of adjustment, a referral should be considered.
4. MEDICATION:  The fact that a child is on medication is not cause for an automatic referral.  Educational performance must be affected in order for a child to receive special education and related services.
5. RECORDS:  If the student is relatively new to the school, there may be previous evaluations of which the school is not aware.  Some detective work should be done.  Referral may not be necessary if previous recommendations are found and implemented.

If the above factors have been ruled out and evaluation is to be considered, the legal process begins.