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Special Education Process

Referral for Special Education services in writing via parent or teacher (person making referral); completion of student assistance referral form is recommended including all of the interventions tried prior to the referral. Information is gathered from the parent and teacher regarding the areas of concern affecting student's progress. All pertinent information about the student is reviewed by the IEP team to determine if a disability is suspected. IEP team decides if assessments are needed and identifies specific tests that will be administered. Parental permission is required for initial assessment.
The IEP team meets to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to meet the student's identified educational needs. The IEP includes the student's present level of academic achievement and functional performance, goals and objectives, services, and supplementary aids and services. The IEP team meets to review information in the written assessment reports. The team determines if the student has a disability. If the student is determined to be eligible, an IEP meeting is scheduled to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The assessments must be multi-disciplinary. The appropriate assessments are based on the suspected disability.
The IEP team must identify the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in which the IEP can be implemented. Parental permission is required for the initial IEP to be implemented. Student receives instruction in accordance with the IEP. The student's IEP is reviewed annually with the IEP team. Progress toward goals is evaluated to determine if changes need to be made to the student's current program.
The IEP Team may determine that the student no longer requires special education services to make educational progress. The parent will be invited to this meeting and provided written notice of these decisions. Teachers and/or related service providers bring appropriate data to assist the team in determining whether further data is needed for continued eligibility or dismissal from special education services. Reevaluation can occur no more than once a year, unless the parent and school system agree otherwise, and at least every 3 years. Student receives instruction in accordance with the IEP.