The Special Education Process

There are five steps in the Special Education process that are outlined below. They are: the initial referral or "request for referral," evaluation, the IEP team meeting, recommendations and review.

The IEP Process has Five Steps:

Initial Referral or
Request for Referral

A parent, teacher, or other educator requests an evaluation. After the parent consents to the evaluation, the child is evaluated and an IEP meeting is scheduled (generally within 60 days of the referral.) Go to details »

Evaluation

Generally, if the child does not already have an IEP, a social history and an educational and psychological evaluation are done. May other types of evaluations may also be requested. Go to details »

The IEP Team Meeting

There are several legal variations on who is present and what must be discussed, but generally, the parent(s), the student, the teacher(s), and others who know the student's educational profile review evaluations and records to determine:

• Whether the student fits one of the eligible categories of disability and, if so
• What and how he or she should learn in the next twelve months. Specific school placements should be discussed.
Go to details »

Determination

The Department of Education places the child in school according to the same criteria that govern all other city schoolchildren, making every effort to match the child's individual needs with services known to be available in the school. Go to details »

Review

At least annually, or whenever a change in behavior, achievement, or school circumstances makes it necessary, the IEP team meeting is repeated, with the goal of determining the best possible match between the student's needs and the available services. Go to details »

After the Request for Referral Has Been Made

What happens after the request for initial referral has been made?

Evaluation

The evaluations will determine your child's skills, abilities and areas of need that affect his or her school performance.

The IEP Team Meeting

It is very important that you attend IEP Team meetings so that you will be able to participate in any decisions that will be made about your child's eligibility for special education services and programs.

Determination

If your child is eligible for special education services, the outcome of the IEP Team Meeting should be a complete recommendation of the kinds of special education programs and services he or she will need to be successful in school.

The Review

An IEP Team meeting is held every school year to review your child's progress. This is called an Annual Review.

	The Special Education Process The Special Education Process There are five steps in the Special Education process that are outlined below. They are: the initial referral or "request for referral," evaluation, the IEP team meeting, recommendations and review. The IEP Process has Five Steps: Initial Referral or Request for Referral A parent, teacher, or other educator requests an evaluation. After the parent consents to the evaluation, the child is evaluated and an IEP meeting is scheduled (generally within 60 days of the referral.) Go to details » Evaluation Generally, if the child does not already have an IEP, a social history and an educational and psychological evaluation are done. May other types of evaluations may also be requested. Go to details » The IEP Team Meeting There are several legal variations on who is present and what must be discussed, but generally, the parent(s), the student, the teacher(s), and others who know the student's educational profile review evaluations and records to determine: • Whether the student fits one of the eligible categories of disability and, if so • What and how he or she should learn in the next twelve months. Specific school placements should be discussed. Go to details » Determination The Department of Education places the child in school according to the same criteria that govern all other city schoolchildren, making every effort to match the child's individual needs with services known to be available in the school. Go to details » Review At least annually, or whenever a change in behavior, achievement, or school circumstances makes it necessary, the IEP team meeting is repeated, with the goal of determining the best possible match between the student's needs and the available services. Go to details » After the Request for Referral Has Been Made What happens after the request for initial referral has been made? Read More » Evaluation The evaluations will determine your child's skills, abilities and areas of need that affect his or her school performance. Read More » The IEP Team Meeting It is very important that you attend IEP Team meetings so that you will be able to participate in any decisions that will be made about your child's eligibility for special education services and programs. Read More » Determination If your child is eligible for special education services, the outcome of the IEP Team Meeting should be a complete recommendation of the kinds of special education programs and services he or she will need to be successful in school. Read More » The Review An IEP Team meeting is held every school year to review your child's progress. This is called an Annual Review. Read More »