Child Find and Evaluation Procedures

Child Find is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that mandates states to establish a thorough system for locating, identifying, and referring children with disabilities, from birth to age 21, for early intervention or special education services as early as possible. Below, you’ll find our Child Find Evaluation Procedures.

Central 301 Child Find Evaluation Procedures

Referral for Consideration of Services

A student who is experiencing difficulties in school may be referred through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process to the school problem solving team or student support team by a teacher, parent, principal or other concerned person. The team reviews referral information and collaborates with the classroom teacher to develop intervention strategies designed to facilitate student success within the general education classroom.

Student support teams also determine the need for a case study evaluation. When a parent requests a case study evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services, it should be given to the building principal where the student attends school. Requests given to school staff should be relayed to the building principal. When an evaluation is discussed, parents are notified in writing of the team’s decision as to the need for an evaluation. Written parental consent must be obtained before an initial case study evaluation is initiated.

Please see the Early Childhood page if you have concerns regarding your young (ages 3-5) child’s development.

Eligibility for Services

Upon completion of the case study evaluation, parents are invited to a formal conference at which evaluation results are reviewed and eligibility for services is determined. Recommendations regarding special education eligibility are made by a consensus of members of the Student Service Team; parents are members of this team and are invited to participate in the meeting and all decision-making. In order for eligibility to occur, the student must meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the 14 disability categories defined in the IDEA; in addition, that disability must adversely affect his or her educational performance and require special education and related services.

If a student is eligible for special education services, an Individual Education Program is developed.

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and implementing provisions of the School Code may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the child (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment