Commonly Asked Questions
How is a student referred for a child study team evaluation?
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be referred to the child study team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they come from one of the following:
1. Parents: Parents may request a child study team evaluation by contacting the supervisor of the child study team at their child’s school and forwarding the request in writing.
2. PAC/I&RS: The PAC (Pupil Assistance Committee) or the I&RS (Intervention and Referral Services) is a general education inter-disciplinary group that meets regularly to provide intervention for students experiencing difficulty in the classroom. Once the PAC/I&RS has utilized its resources and determines that additional information may be necessary, or feels that the student may be potentially educationally disabled, the student may be recommended for a CST evaluation.
3. Administrators or outside agencies: The principal or other building administrator or an individual from an outside agency (doctor, social worker, etc.) may refer a student for a child study team evaluation.
What is the procedure after the referral is made?
Once the referral has been made the child study team has twenty (20) days to schedule a meeting to determine to evaluate. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting would be the school social worker, school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant, classroom teacher, speech/language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child was aged 3-5) and certainly the parent.
Are students automatically tested if the request is made?
No. Once a request is made for a child study team evaluation, a meeting to determine to evaluate must be scheduled. At that meeting it is determined if a child study team evaluation is warranted and if so, an Evaluation Plan is developed.
What is the procedure if the student is going to be tested?
Once it is determined that testing is necessary an assessment plan is developed and the parent/guardian gives written permission. The district has ninety (90) days to complete the necessary evaluations. Within ninety (90) days and Eligibility Conference is scheduled where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special education and/or related services.
If a student is eligible does that mean he or she will be in a special education class?
Absolutely not. Before a student receives services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) must be developed and agreed to. The majority of students eligible for especial education services receive those services within general education classrooms and programs.