If your child has been consistently struggling in school, his or her problems may be due to a disability. If the school thinks your child may have a disability, they will contact you to request your written permission to evaluate your child. Under the IDEA, you also have the right to ask the school to evaluate your child. The purpose of the evaluation is to see if he or she has a disability and needs special education services.

To request assessment to determine whether your child is eligible for special education services, submit a written letter to the School District Special Education Director. For a sample letter to request assessment, click here.

You will want to retain proof of the letter’s delivery. Consider sending the letter “return/receipt requested” from the post office. Or hand deliver and ask that your letter be date stamped and a copy of this given to you before you leave. Or fax your letter and print your “successful transmission” fax report and follow up by phone to ensure the letter was received.

A written letter triggers an important timeline under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) law: 

- From the time the school district receives your letter, the school district has 15 calendar days (not counting large school holidays) to present you with an Assessment Plan for your consent. 

- From the time you receive an Assessment Plan, you have 15 calendar days (if you wish to take them) to ask all the questions you need to feel comfortable to give “informed consent” by signing the plan.

- From the time you consent to the Assessment Plan, the district has 60 days (not counting large school holidays) to assess your child and hold the first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting. 

In an initial IEP meeting, you and administrative, educational, and assessor team members will discuss the assessment results and make a determination whether the child qualifies for special education services. If your child qualifies, an IEP document will be developed.

If your child is currently enrolled by you in private school, you must request assessment from the school district in which the private school is located, even if this is not the district in which you live.