How is a decision made about my child's eligibility for special education?
The decision about your child's eligibility for services is based on whether your son or daughter has a disability that fits into one of the IDEA's 13 disability categories and whether that disability affects how your child does in school. If you are concerned your child has a disability, make this concern known so that the district can receive written permission to begin the evaluation process. If a district employee suspects your child may have a disability, you will be contacted and asked for written permission before the district proceeds in an evaluation. The decision will be made when the evaluation has been completed, and the results are in.
This group will look at all of the information gathered during the evaluation and decide if your child meets the definition of a "child with a disability.”
Under the IDEA, a child may not be found eligible for services if the determining reason for thinking the child is eligible is that:
- The child has limited English proficiency, or
- The child has a lack of instruction in math or reading.
If your child is found eligible, you and the school will work together to design an educational program for your child.
As parents, you have the right to receive a copy of the evaluation report on your child and the paperwork about your child's eligibility for special education and related services.
IDEA's Categories of Disability
- Autism
- Deafness
- Deaf-blindness
- Hearing impairment
- Mental retardation
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Specific learning disability
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment, including blindness