Special Education Procedures

 

A “referral” in the context of special education services is a process asking the school district to evaluate a student to decide if the student qualifies to receive special education services. A referral can be made either by the school dis­trict (through a teacher or other school personnel involved in the student’s education) or by a parent or guardian. The referral is a required first step before an evaluation can take place.

The “date of referral” is the date of written parental consent for an evaluation. Screening procedures shall not be consid­ered an evaluation.

Within 14 school days after receiving the written request, the district will decide whether to evaluate the child or not. If the district determines an evaluation is warranted, then the district must provide the parents with the paper­work to provide formal written consent.

If the district determines that the evaluation is not neces­sary, it must notify the parent in writing of the decision not to evaluate and the reasons for the decision.

Please see the document below for more information from the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the Special Education Referral Process.