Does your child need an evaluation?

If you believe your child is not learning up to the full potential of their ability, please talk with their teacher about what they are noticing in the classroom. Your child’s teacher may agree with you. You have a few options about the method of evaluation, depending on what you think the issue might be. You can have a) an independent evaluation outside of school, or b) an evaluation by the school.

If you have an independent evaluation:

Usually called a Neuropsychological Exam – Done by PhD qualified to make a mental health medical diagnosis. They can be expensive and the wait lists are long.  However, insurance will cover part or all of the exam. It usually lists all of the care needed by child in their life, not just academic support.

Contact the Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society. www.massneuropsych.org

If you have an evaluation by the school:

An academic evaluation is not a medical diagnosis, therefore you still need to provide for the care of your child in other aspects of their life.

How to navigate the Individual Education Plan (IEP)* process:

1. A referral is the first step in the process to determine if your child should receive special education services. You, the parent, contact the Director of Special Education of the School District in writing to request an evaluation (make sure it is time-stamped). Mention your concerns, as well as concerns of the teacher, or other professionals.
2. Within five days of receiving a referral the school must contact the parent about the written permission to begin the evaluation. This will allow for the school district to begin the evaluation process.
3. Once the parent has granted the school permission for the evaluation, the school will have 30 school days to have trained credentialed specialists evaluate the student.
4. Evaluations include parent input, teacher observations, an interview with the student about their current abilities in school, and other formal/informal assessments. The tools used for the evaluation will be based on the students’ individual needs. The child must be evaluated in all areas of suspected disability.  
5. All evaluation information is confidential and should only be seen by the people directly involved in the team. Parents also have access to this information. A parent must also give written consent to others before they can access any of the information.
6. Within 45 school days of parents’ consent, the team determines if your child is eligible for special education.
7. Two days before the team meeting a parent has the right to receive all the special education evaluation reports. The parent must ask the school for copies of these reports in order to receive them in advance, prior to the meeting.
8. During the team meeting the members of the team must take all information and all results from evaluations to determine if the child is eligible to receive special education services.
9. If eligibility is met, the team will then use the evaluation results to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for your child.

*What is an Individual Education Plan (IEP):

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a legally bound document protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Act. It consists of contract between a student, family, and school that describes the services that will be provided for your child’s individual special education needs. The IEP serves as a resource to assist a teacher in meeting the individual needs of your child to create a supportive and effective learning environment.  

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education/Special Education

www.doe.mass.edu/specialeducation/families/default.html