7 Steps in the Special Education Referral Process

  1. Pre-Referral

Parents come to the school with a suggestion that their child might need extra help.

  1. Referral
  1. Identification
  1. Eligibility
  1. Developing an IEP
  1. Implementation

A teacher observes student behavior that makes them suspicious that a child might be having difficulties. Parents must be involved and agree with the decision to take things further.

  1. Evaluation and Review

A referral is made to a medical practitioner asking for an evaluation of the child. This must be made with parental consent.

An evaluation will be conducted by a team of educational professionals to determine the needs of the child. Different tests, methods, and tools will be used to build up as comprehensive a picture of the students abilities and needs as possible. During this process, the parents have the right to challenge any of the findings, which will lead to an independent review.

Once students have been tested, their diagnosis is compared to the help available under US law. If students have a disability that is recognised under the IDEA framework, the process can proceed. Otherwise, students must seek outside help.

A meeting will be set up between concerned parties in the school, the medical professional who evaluated the student, and parents. to draw up an Individual Education Plan (IEP)

An IEP includes:

  1. The specific services they’ll receive
  2. How many times per week and for how many minutes they’ll get them,
  3. Whether they’ll be one-on-one or with a group
  4. What their short- and long-term goals are

The terms of the IEP are implemented in this stage, which could take a lot of forms, depending on what the issues identified were. This could involve the use of therapists, technology, or special classes.

Progress is measured against the agreed goals and parents are informed of any needs or successes.

At the end of each checkpoint, the student's IEP is reviewed to ensure it is still meeting their needs. This should happen at least once a year.
After 3 years, the student will be re-evaluated as well, and the IEP updated to reflect new findings. At parental request, this can happen sooner than 3 years.

References

A Step-By-Step Guide to the IEP Process. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/school-life/gifted-special-needs/step-step-guide-to-iep-process.html

Dalien, Suzie . (2014, 8 Novemeber). 7 Steps of the IEP Process. Retrieved from https://specialedresource.com/resource-center/7-steps-iep-process


IDEA Basics: Initial Evaluations. (2013, 1 September). Retrieved from https://m.youtube .com/watch?v=HiAlJvcyQrU


What is an IEP. (2015, 27 October). Retrieved from https://youtube .com/watch?v=tGYO9XWhI2Y

IDEA Basics: Initial Evaluations. (2013, 1 September). Retrieved from https://m.youtube .com/watch?v=HiAlJvcyQrU

What is an IEP. (2015, 27 October). Retrieved from https://youtube .com/watch?v=tGYO9XWhI2Y