The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that schools actively seek to locate, identify and evaluate students who live inside the school district and may be in need of special education. If you or one of your child's teachers suspects that your child has a disability, the following activities will occur:

• Once concern has been expressed by you or someone on the school staff, the prereferral team will meet. The purpose of this team is to problem solve and plan general education modifications and instructional interventions designed to address learning problems early.
• After prereferral interventions have been attempted for a time specified by the team, the prereferral team will meet to discuss the results of the modifications or other interventions. This team may decide:
  • to continue the interventions;
  • to add other modifications and interventions;
  • to recommend services or programs outside of special education (such as Title I or Section 504 accommodation plan); or
  • to refer your child to the building evaluation team for a special education evaluation.
• These prereferral activities cannot be used to delay processing a referral to the building evaluation team where immediate action may be needed.
• Once the referral has been made from the prereferral team and a Referral to Special Education form has been completed, the evaluation team is formed. You are a member of this team for your child.
• The evaluation team will review school records, the results of prereferral interventions, and other relevant information to decide if your child needs an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education.
  • If an evaluation is recommended, you will be provided with written notice that the district proposes to evaluate your child and you must give written consent before the evaluation can occur.
  • If an evaluation is not recommended, the evaluation team will look for other ways to address your child's needs. You will be given written notice that the district refuses to conduct an evaluation and the reasons for making this decision.