Here are some questions frequently asked by parents and guardians:

The process of determining if a student requires an IEP requires several steps. 

  1. The student is referred for an evaluation due to a suspected disability. 

    • A referral is a written request to evaluate a student. Please include the name of the student, all areas of suspected disability, any additional relevant information you choose to share, and the best method to contact you.
  2. The referral is considered by the school’s student study team, which reviews relevant student data and information presented in the referral before the team determines if an evaluation is needed. The team has 25 school days to determine if an evaluation is needed.

        • A Prior Written Notice indicating the decision to evaluate or not will be provided to the parent/ guardian. 

  3. If an evaluation is determined to be needed, the parent or guardian or adult student will be requested to provide written consent to evaluate the student. 

  4. Once written consent is received, the evaluation is initiated in all areas of suspected disability. 

    • The school has up to 35 school days to complete the evaluation. 

  5. The evaluation team meets to review the results of the evaluation and determine if the student is eligible for special education. 

    • All three prongs must be met to qualify for special education: 

      • The student has a disability. 

      • The disability adversely affects the student’s education. 

      • The student requires specially designed instruction. 

  6. If the student is found eligible for special education, then an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed by the IEP team, which includes the parent/ guardian/ adult student. An IEP is a written plan that addresses the student’s unique learning needs. 

    • The IEP team has up to 30 calendar days to develop the IEP. 

    • The IEP includes specially designed instruction, and possibly related services, accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and services. 

  7. IEPs are reviewed at least annually. 

  8. Re-evaluations are completed at least once every three years but may occur more often at the request of an IEP team member. 

Click Here to download the Chehalis School District Optional Referral for Special Education Form

This process begins by making a request in writing for a special education evaluation. Your request will be reviewed by the school student study team to determine if an evaluation is needed.

Click Here to download the Chehalis School District Optional Referral for Special Education Form

Thank you for telling the school about your student’s new diagnosis. Sharing this information with the teacher, principal, and school psychologist will assist the team to determine if your student needs additional support to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Start by reaching out to your student’s teacher(s) and asking for feedback on what is going well and what is most challenging.

Work together to see if there are different strategies to try, or if extra help is needed. Everyone struggles at times to learn (even adults!), and sometimes it just takes a different strategy to get the job done.

At other times, students struggle despite interventions and different strategies; these students may have a disability that is preventing them from successfully learning in one or more areas.