How to Request a Special Education Evaluation

Are you concerned your child might have Dyslexia? If your child is struggling in school or not making progress, request a special education evaluation. This is an assessment completed by your public school district. This initial special education evaluation will determine if they are a child with a disability and if they require special education and related services.

Under the legislation IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act, a student with a disability are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). To be eligible for IDEA, a child needs to have a disability. These includes of any of the following diagnosis:

·       Specific learning disability (SLD) including Dyslexia

·       Intellectual disability

·       Other health impairment including ADHD

·       Autism

·       Emotional disturbance

·       Speech or language impairment

·       Visual impairment

·       Deafness

·       Hearing impairment

·       Orthopedic impairment

·       Deaf-blindness

·       Multiple disabilities

·       Traumatic brain injury

Here are the steps to request a special education evaluation from the public school district.

1.      Write a formal request.

This letter starts the entire testing process. Once the school receives this letter, the timeline the school must follow begins. Address the request to your school’s principal or special education director.

The request must be in writing. Download our sample letter below to give yourself a model to follow. A written request should include the following information:

·        Clearly state you are requesting the school evaluate your child for special education services.

·        Include your child’s full name, teacher’s name, and school they attend.

·        Include your concerns and observations about your child. Be specific about why you are requesting the evaluation.

·        Clearly consent to your child being evaluated in the letter. Without your consent, the school cannot complete any testing. The school may also send a consent to evaluation form home for you to sign.

·        Request copies of evaluation results prior to meeting.

·        Include your name, address, email address, and phone number

2.      Ensure the letter is delivered.

Hand deliver the letter to the school’s or the special education office. Ask for the letter to be date stamped and a copy of the stamped letter for your records. If you do not hand deliver the letter, send it certified mail. Both of these methods ensure the school had received the formal request.

3.      School’s response to letter.

The school must respond to your request in writing within 15 school days. If they agree to complete an evaluation, they will send a written notice proposing to evaluate, a copy of the procedural safeguards notice, and a form to give written consent.

4.      Conducting Evaluations

Once the school receives the signed consent form, they will conduct the assessments. These assessments will occur during the school day and be conducted by school staff. Any other situations should be approved by you ahead of time.

5.      Meeting

Once the evaluation is completed, the school will schedule a meeting with you to review the evaluation and determine eligibility for special education services. Request copies of the evaluations prior to the meeting so you can review the results ahead of time. In most cases, this meeting must occur within 60 days of receiving the formal evaluation request. Some state’s timelines do vary so check with your Department of Education.

If your child is found eligible for special education services, the IEP will be developed. If you disagree with the school district’s findings, you can challenge the findings by requesting a due process hearing.

Free Request Special Education Evaluation Letter Template and Checklist