All students ages 3 through 21 who are suspected of having a disability
may be referred for evaluation. Consideration of a student’s
need for special education is initiated by a referral. School personnel,
parents or guardians, physician, community agencies, or other appropriate
individuals may initiate a referral for special education evaluation.
Referral of students for possible special education services is part
of the districts’ overall regular education referral or screening
system. Prior to referral, students experiencing difficulties in the
regular classroom should have access to research based instructional
interventions provided in the general education program. The student’s
response to those interventions is a critical piece of information
when a referral is being considered. If a child is experiencing
learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed
below to learn about the district’s overall general education
referral or screening system for support services. This system links
students to a variety of support options, including referral for
a special education evaluation. Students having difficulty in the
regular classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory,
and other academic or behavior support services that are available
to all students including a process based on Response to Intervention
(RtI). The implementation of RtI has the potential to have a positive
impact on the ability of local education agencies to meet the needs
of all struggling students.
At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation for
special education services. Within a reasonable amount of time,
the district must decide if the evaluation is needed. If the evaluation
is needed, the parent will be notified and asked to provide informed
written consent for the evaluation. The district must complete the
evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the
district receives the written consent. The district must give a
copy of the report to the parent.
If the district determines that the evaluation is not needed, the
district will provide the parent with a written notice that explains
why the child will not be evaluated. This written notice will include
a statement that informs the parent of their rights, if they disagree
with the district. Additionally, the notice must inform the parent
how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards
– Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.
| Contact Person |
Lynne Guidry or Stephanie Clark |
| Phone Number |
281-634-1143 or 281-634-1358 |
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