Referral and Assessment

Child Find is a component of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that mandates the identification, location, and evaluation of children with disabilities, aged birth to 21 years.  To receive special education services children must meet eligibility requirements as authorized by IDEA.

The process begins with a review of available information about the child.  If a screening indicates the possibility of an educational disability the child will be assessed in relevant areas of concern.  If results indicate that a child is disabled and in need of special education services, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed.

An assessment plan is a description of the assessment that will be used to explore a child's strengths and needs in the area of suspected disability.  After the parent receives their rights under IDEA and gives written consent to test the child, the appropriate specialists conduct the assessment with parent input.  No single procedure can be used as the sole criterion for determining an appropriate educational program.