How to Get Your Child Evaluated for Special Education

Special education is specially designed instruction for students with support needs that go beyond what is offered in the general education classroom. It meets the individual needs of the child that arise from a disability. These services can include specially trained staff, special instructional supplies and materials, modified curriculum and other special accommodations. Special education is provided at no cost for eligible students.

The range of special education support varies based on the child’s needs and the school district. Each country, state or school district has different policies, rules, regulations and laws that govern what special education is. In the US, the governing law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Students qualify for special education by meeting requirements set by the Washington State Department of Education. Students are tested to find out if they qualify in one or more of these disability areas:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
• Deaf-Blindness (DB)
• Developmental Delay/Intellectually Impaired
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
• Other Health Impairments, (OHI) for example ADHD
• Physically Impaired (PI)
• Multiply Impaired (MI)
• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• Speech or Language Impairments (S/L)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Visually Impaired (VI)

It is possible to meet the requirements of a disability and not need special education services. For example, a child with a hearing loss who is doing well in the regular classroom may not need special education. The district may still be required, under a Section 504 plan, to make accommodations/classroom adaptations that allow the student to use general education services.

You can submit a request for special education testing in writing or verbally to your child’s general education teacher or the school psychologist. Simply state that you feel your child needs to be evaluated for special education. The referrals for special education evaluation go through the school’s guidance team which includes the building administrator, special education teacher, general education teacher, school psychologist and other designated school staff. Follow the recommendations below for submitting your referral.

If your child is under 5 and not yet enrolled in public school, contact your local school district to request an evaluation for services: ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/about-school-districts/websites-and-contact-info

If you submit your request for a meeting with the guidance team verbally, write down who you made the request to and the date that you asked for the meeting. If you submit your request in writing, type or neatly write your request in a business-style letter or on a district form. See what to include in the letter below. Contact your child’s teacher, principal, counselor or school psychologist to find out if a form is needed and where to get a copy. Submit the request in person to your school even if you are doing it in writing. Keep a copy of the written referral. A school district has 25 school days to respond to a request, then 35 school days to complete an evaluation, and an additional 30 calendar days to write and implement an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for an eligible student.

Next, the guidance team will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your child’s learning needs and decide if they should be evaluated. It may take a month or more for a meeting to be scheduled with the guidance team.

• Your mailing address, daytime and evening telephone numbers
• Your child’s name, birth date, school, and grade
• A description of your child’s learning problems
• Copies of additional information about your child’s learning problems such as test results, grades, information from a doctor or outside assessments
• A statement that you are making a referral for evaluation and are requesting an Individual Education Program team meeting to discuss the referral
• Several dates and times you are available to meet with school staff

• Lengthy letters - Keep your letter under 2 pages, double-spaced.
• Expressing anger or making accusations - Keep your tone professional.
• Including personal details - Focus on your child’s learning needs. If there are other matters affecting your child, such as a recent divorce or death in the family, you will have a chance to share them with the IEP team, counselor or school psychologist in person.

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Principal or Special Education Administrator
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Principal’s or Administrator’s name),

I am writing to request that my son/daughter, (child’s name), be evaluated for special education services (mention specific areas, e.g., reading, arithmetic, writing, language skills, adaptive behavior, social behavior, attention). I am worried that (child’s name) is not doing well in school and believe he/she may need special services in order to learn. (Child’s name) is in the ( _ ) grade at (name of school). (Teacher’s name) is his/her teacher.

Specifically, I am worried because (child’s name) does/does not (give a few direct examples of your child’s problems at school).

We have tried the following to help (child’s name): (If you or the school have done anything extra to help your child, briefly state it here).

I understand that I have to give written permission in order for (child’s name) to be evaluated. Before the evaluation begins, I have some questions about the process that I need to have answered (list any questions you may have). I would be happy to talk with you about (child’s name). You can send me information or call me during the day at (daytime telephone number). Thank you for your prompt attention to my request.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: your child’s principal (if letter is addressed to an administrator) and your child’s teacher(s)

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
ospi.k12.wa.us
360-725-6075
The OSPI provides families with information about special education, ensures that students and families know about their rights, and answers questions they may have about how the process works.

Special Education Resources
pc2online.org
For a more comprehensive list of resources available in Pierce County and Washington State, visit the Pierce County Parent Coalition for Developmental Disabilities Web site or call 253-564-0707 and ask for a free copy of their most current “Resource Guide.”

The Arc of Washington State
arcwa.org
Phone: 360-357-5596 or 1-888-754-8798 (calls from WA state only)
Services and programs for people with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and related neurological disorders that occur before age 18.

Council for Exceptional Children
exceptionalchildren.org
703-620-3660
International professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities and/or the gifted.

PAVE, Parents Are Vital in Education
wapave.org
253-565-2266 or 1-800-572-7368
A parent-directed organization to increase independence and future opportunities for people with special needs, their families and communities, through training, information, referral and support.