Flashcards — Getting an Evaluation

Yes. The public school district where the private school is located must evaluate children who may have a disability.

Your child has a qualifying disability, and because of it they need specially designed instruction. Both parts must be true.

Send a short, dated email or letter to the principal and special education staff asking for a full evaluation for special education. Keep a copy.

Your state's early intervention program. At age 3, the school district takes over, and children can get preschool special education.

Yes — nothing stops schools from naming dyslexia in evaluations and IEPs. It usually falls under the Specific Learning Disability category.

Specific, dated examples: work samples, report cards, teacher emails, and notes about what you see at home. Specifics are harder to brush off than 'I'm worried.'

No — the school does its own evaluation, and a diagnosis doesn't automatically qualify a child. Still, share outside reports, because the school must consider them.

Schools have a duty to find and evaluate children who may have a disability. You do not have to know the right words for this duty to apply.

No — consent to evaluate only allows testing. You give separate consent before any services start.

No. Interventions can run at the same time, but they cannot be used to delay or deny an evaluation.

It should either ask for your written consent to evaluate, or tell you in writing why it refuses. That written refusal is called Prior Written Notice.

A copy of the evaluation report a few days early. Reading it ahead lets you come with questions instead of hearing results for the first time.

Every area where a disability is suspected, such as reading, attention, speech, motor skills, behavior, or social skills. Ask for a list of planned tests.

Usually 60 days from when you sign consent — your state may set a different timeline. Ask the school for its deadline in writing.

A written request starts the paper trail and shows exactly when you asked. A hallway conversation is easy to forget or deny.

Yes. Passing grades do not rule out a disability, especially if your child is working far harder than peers or struggling in other areas.