Is the child identified as a special education student?

1. Ask the Parent:

a. is your child classified as a child with special education needs?

b. is your child in an individual education plan (IEP)?

c. has your child been evaluated or tested by the school?

d. does your child work with an aid?

2. Obtain school records and the IEP:

a. send a letter to the district requesting access to or a copy of the most recent school records and consider going to the school to review the records.

b. look for IEP’s, evaluations and teacher reports.

3. Examine the IEP:

a. examine the dates, when was it written, is it current?

b. look at the services recommended and provided, are additional services needed?

c. look at the location and type of program the child is involved in.

d. ask who does the program serve.

e. examine who attended the TEAM meetings, ask what type of personnel attended and do they meet the child’s needs.

4. Look at the records:

a. look at current records and reports or evaluations.

b. determine if the findings and recommendations are reflected in the IEP.

5. Consider the following options:

a. request a TEAM meeting to review the child’s program and needs.

b. request a re-evaluation of the child by the school

c. if a school based evaluation has been conducted within the past 16 months, consider an independent evaluation