how do parents determine if their child is eligible in special education?

Answer 1

the parents don't. If they notice something wrong with the development of their child they bring up their concerns to the childs pediatrician and then the child can be tested. Then the doc will order assistance or placement based on the findings. When the child goes to school the parent lets the school know about the childs needs and if necessary gets documentation from the dr.

Answer 2

There are many ways, but it will be the whole team who decides if the child is eligible. If your child does not have a medical diagnosis (such as ADHD) and is struggling in school, the usual process is this:

1) Student Study Team -- this is a meeting initiated by either a counselor, teacher, and occassionally, a parent. The team involves the student's general ed teacher(s), a special education teacher, usually a counselor and/or an administrator. The purpose of this meeting is to determine the reason for the student's difficulty. If the team can rule out a number of factors (environment, teachers, etc.) then the next step, assessment is initiated. If it is determined that interventions can be implemented, then the process ends here.

2) Assessment - The school sends an assessment plan to the parent for approval. Usually, there will be a set of achievement tests done by a special education teacher and cognitive tests done by a school psychologists. Depending on the student's difficulties, there may also be a speech, occupational therapy or audiological assessment. Once the results of the testing are in, it goes to the next step -- the IEP.

3) The IEP, or individualized education plan is a meeting between parents, the special education teacher, a general education teacher, a school administrator and other involved parties. At this meeting, it is determined whether or not the child is eligible for services. If there is no discrepancy between the achievement testing and the cognitive testing and no irregularities in any other assessments, the child will usually be found not eligible. If a discrepancy is found, the child will be given a special education qualifying statement identifying a specific disability.

Answer 3

The easiest way to determine eligibility is to talk with the child's teacher (or school administrator, if the teacher is not helpful) to begin a referral for special education. After the referral, there should be a meeting to determine whether or not the child will be tested. If the child is tested and found eligible for services, an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) will be written and implemented. If the child is not found eligible but you feel the child still needs assistance, talk to the administrator about a 504 plan. A 504 plan allows for accommodations while not having the child in special educaiton. You can ask the teacher for some extra assistance for your child before/after school. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There are many ways of testing. Also you can have a meeting with the childs school,(teachers, principal, psychologist, Special ed coordinators......) and have an IEP meeting. (Individualized Education Program) Once they do that they can determine if your child is eligible. Once the child Has an IEP, they can have individualized services , and they will adjust learning to their level. Also if they need services such as OT, PT, or speech, it will be available. Now, this is all through the public schools. Private schools do not offer much, if anything. First thing I would do is contact your local school board. They will have a special ed coordinator who can answer most of your questions. Or search on the internet, information about the IEP. Good Luck. And make sure to get the services you need for your child. Some schools are way more helpful than others. You are your own childs advocate.

Answer 5

THANK GOD you asked this question. There are federal LAWS called IDEA that schools and parents are suppose to follow. BUT the schools do NOT follow these laws and there is no enforcement of these laws, so the schools seem to be an entity unto themselves.

According to the law, schools are suppose to 'find and identify' any child that has problems that they might qualify for special ed.
A teacher can request this to get started or the parent can. BUT, the 'catch' that schools throw in the way of this is that they tell parents that their child has to go through their 'intervention process' first, and then if this doesn't work then they'll try special ed. This is a bunch of bull.

They do NOT tell parents that they can skip this process and ask if their child can have an assesment to see if they can qualify for special ed.

The correct legal process is that the teacher OR the parent is suppose to ask the 'special ed department' to do an evaluation of the child to see if the child can qualify for special ed. BUT the school will tell the parent that they CAN"T ask for this.

And, schools will tell the teacher to NOT ask for help from special ed dept, but to ask help thru the 'intervention process', because this is different than special ed. They then make the parent think that this will help and they CAN"T ask for special ed help.

When the parent figures out that they CAN ask for this eval to be done, most times they have to FIGHT to get the school to do this. I have had to file a formal state complaint 2 times to have this done. Then when they do it, they take months to get it done. By law they have 60 DAYS. Then after this, they usually tamper with the whole testing and say the child does not qualify. The next step is to go over test results with parent and state if child qualfies for sped or not.

After this, if child does NOT qualify, parent can request from the school an 'independent educational evaluation by public expense' This means that the school will pay for an outside evaluator, chosen by the PARENT, to do another evaluation. The school will then use this eval to determine if child qualifies for special ed. The school will STILL say no way. Parents usually have to hire advocates and even lawyers to get what their child is legally entitled to.

Most schools around the country are very adversial, hostile, cheats, law violators when it comes to special ed. Even the state dept of education allows this.
Go to www.schwablearning.org go to their parent message board and learn all about it.

Answer 6

We are not like most I guess cause we knew there was something wrong with our child before he was even a year old. He began receiving help before he even went to school. Because of the education to put it loosely before he started school, he automatically received special education services when he started school at age 3.

If the parents suspect a problem, they can bring it before the school to have the child tested and placed if need be in special education.

Answer 7

An Early Intervention evaluation can determine this eligibility. Contact your County Health Department for more information on Early Intervention Services.

Answer 8

If your shcool district offeres pre-school screening, be sure to take your child. Once in school, the school will determine if an assessment for special services is needed. Parents can also request formal assessment from the school once the child is attending.

Answer 9

Usually the parents don't, it is the school that first notices that a child is lagging behind and may have a learning disability that needs to be addressed and discusses the matter with the parents and they work together to find a lesson plan that they feel will best suit the child's needs.

Answer 10

I think when you have your child screening for school, that will make the determination.