Pre Referral/Request for Assistance

Parent

• For parents who think their child may have needs which would be addressed by the special education program, it is recommended that the parents speak with a special education teacher at their child's school.
• Parents should provide information that might be helpful when examining the child's needs.
• Parents may also participate in determining suspected disabilities.

School District

• The special education department should contact parents for information pertaining to the child.
• The special education teacher and classroom teacher may attempt different strategies to address the child's needs and document results.
• The special education department will contact parents to participate in a meeting to determine if a referral is needed when a disability is suspected.

Referral

Parent

• Parents are required to make a written referral for a comprehensive evaluation for a suspected disability, if needed.
• Parents will receive a copy of parent's rights information.
• Parents are required to sign a written consent (sent home by  the special education department) giving permission for evaluation.

 

School District

• The special education department will make a referral for comprehensive evaluation if a child is suspected of having a disability.
• The special education department will contact parents, explain the referral process, and provide a copy of the Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities.
• The special education department will ask parents for consent to evaluate their child.
• The special education department will receive written parental permission for evaluation.

Evaluation

Parent

• Parents will be asked to participate in evaluation team activities including determination of eligibility.
• Parents will be asked to provide information for the evaluation process (e.g., medical, family, and educational history: perception of child's strengths and needs).

 

School District

• The special education department will contact parents to participate in the evaluation process.
• The special education department will discuss with parents and provide written notification (of who will evaluate and what types of assessments will be used).
• The special education department will collect information from parents, teachers, and others involved with the child.
• The special education department and other individuals within the school system will complete the evaluation of the child.
• The special education department will summarize and interpret evaluation results
• The special education department will hold an IEP meeting that includes parent, to determine the child's eligibility for special education services.
• If the child is eligible:
• The IEP team will draft an IEP.
• The special education department will provide the parents with a copy of the evaluation report and the documentation of the determination of eligibility.
• The special education will notify parents of their right to an independent evaluation, if there is a disagreement about the evaluation results.
• If the child is not eligible for special education services, the special education department, regular classroom teacher, and parents will determine appropriate modifications and/or interventions.

Before the IEP Meeting

Parent

• Parents are encouraged to review the parent's rights information.
• Parents are encouraged to prepare concerns and questions for the IEP meeting.

School District

• The school district will notify parents of IEP meeting and who will attend.
• The school district will determine mutually agreed on time and place for the meeting.

During the IEP Meeting

Parent

• Parents are encourages to be active participants in the IEP activities including:
• sharing information about your child's strengths and needs,
• assisting in development of measurable goals and objectives, and
• determining jointly the appropriate special education and related services provided.
• Parents are required to give permission for child to receive special education related services, supplementary aids and services to support the students in the general curriculum.

School District

• The special education department will provide and explain the parent's rights information.
• The special education department will review and explain the evaluation results and eligibility.
• The IEP team, which consists of the special education teacher, regular classroom teacher, parent, and LEA representative, will jointly develop an IEP.
• The special education department will provide parents with a copy of the IEP.

 

Annual Review

Each child's program is reviewed on an annual basis, usually during the month of April or May.  If special education services continue to be required, a program will be developed for the following school year.
 

Parent

• Parents are encouraged to gather school papers and other information that may be helpful at the meeting.
• Parents are encouraged to review parent's rights, and current IEP, and suggest ideas for new measurable goals and objectives.

School District

• The special education department will provide and explain the parent's rights information.
• The special education department will contact parents to participate in the annual review.
• The special education department will gather information on the child's progress and review the current IEP.
• The special education department will discuss the appropriateness of extended school year services.

Reevaluation

Each child's needs and eligibility are reviewed every three years.
 

Parents

• Parents are required to give written permission for additional testing, if needed.
• Parents may request an evaluation sooner that three years if desired, especially if there is a change in the child's skills.

School Districts

• The special education department will notify parents that the three-year reevaluation is due and ask for parents to participate.
• The special education department will provide a copy of the Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities to parents.
• The special education department will explain the reevaluation process and ask for parent's input.
• If additional assessment is needed, the special education department will
• receive written permission for assessment,
• ask for parent's input,
• explain to parents who will reevaluate and the assessments to be used, and
• once assessment is completed IEP team meets to determine eligibility and develop an IEP.
• If additional assessment is not needed to determine if a child continues to have a disability, the special education department will notify the parents.
Information on this page has been taken from
"The Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities Handbook,"
Published by the TN Department of Education, Division of Special Education, July 2005.

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