Request for Special Education Evaluation

[tobygardner]

With school back in session, I have had several parents with questions about how to obtain special education evaluations for their children.  It is my understanding- so please let me know if I have inaccurate information- that a parent can go to psd150.org, click on the menu bar "Staff and Departments", click on "Departments", click on "Special Education", click on "Special Education Forms", click on "Referral Form" and a parent can take that in to the school to request a special education evaluation.  I believe it is two weeks the school has to talk w/ teachers, gather information and inform the parent whether they deem an evaluation is needed.  They can decline to do an evaluation, but I am not sure the process to appeal that decision. 

[Jessica Hodierne]

Great question Toby! A parent can request that their child be evaluated, and the school actually has 14 school days (almost 3 weeks) to decide whether or not to evaluate the child. Here is a link that describes the evaluation process: www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_Content&contentID=6000

A parent or guardian has several options if they disagree with a school's decision to do/not do an initial evaluation, or if they feel that the school is not providing the appropriate services to their child outlined within the IEP. Here is a link to the different options to try and resolve a disagreement: www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_content&contentID=4292

Often times, a parent is able to resolve the problem on their own. However, if a person is having difficulty with conflict resolution with the school, they can call Prairie State Legal Services at 309-674-9831.