What happens if I request that my child be assessed?
If you believe your child is in need of assessment—either to make changes to their existing Individualized Education Program (IEP) or to establish special education services through an initial IEP—you should make your request for assessment in writing to a member of your child’s IEP team or to an administrator at your child’s school. They will typically have 25 school days to respond to your written request.
It is helpful to include as much information as possible in your written request. In your request, you should include:
The reason you want your child assessed
The concerns you have about your child’s development—be specific
Any strategies you’ve tried at home to support your child
The priorities and goals you have for your child’s development for the school year
If your child is already receiving special education services and has a current IEP, you should hear from your child’s case manager or a school administrator. They may agree to assess and offer you an assessment plan to review and sign. You must give permission for your child to be assessed—even if you’re the one who requested it. They will have 35 school days to conduct all assessments and another 30 (calendar) days to draft and propose an IEP based on the assessment results.
If your child is not receiving special education services, and they don’t have an existing IEP, you may hear from a school psychologist, a special education teacher, or a school administrator. They may agree to assess your child right away. If that’s the case, they will provide you with an assessment plan to review and sign. You will need to sign the assessment plan giving the team permission before they can start the assessment process. The same timeline laid out above applies.
Whether your child already has an IEP or not, if the response is that they don’t believe your child needs assessment, you have the right to escalate your concerns to a program administrator. You can write a second request to someone like a Director of Special Education. You can also request a meeting with your child’s IEP team or with the Director to discuss your request. A written request for an IEP meeting will typically result in the team offering a meeting date within 30 calendar days..
If your request does not receive a timely response, or if you are denied assessment a second time, you can find a specialist—a psychologist, an occupational therapist, an education specialist—who can conduct the assessments you want done. This would be an independent educational evaluation (IEE). Once these assessments are completed, you would share them with your child’s IEP team. If your child doesn’t have a team, the school will likely assign a team to meet with you and review the results of the IEE.
If after reviewing the results of the IEE the team decides to offer your child special education services, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the IEE. If they decide not to offer your child special education services, you are financially responsible for the cost. The results of the IEE may be used during mediation or due process if you continue to pursue services for your child.
More questions? Email me:
mischamcmanus@centered-consulting.com
