Does My Child Need to Be in Special Education?
There are different reasons why a student may be referred to special education. A child qualifies for special education when they:
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Have a disability and
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Their disability affects their school performance and
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Their needs cannot be met in general education
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities"
How Do I Get My Student(s) Tested?
Washington County School District Policy:
When parent(s), adult student, or school staff member suspects a student may have a disability, a request for an initial evaluation may be made through the following referral procedure:
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Teachers document results of classroom instruction and intervention
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The person making the referral/request for initial evaluation completes and signs a referral form.
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The referral form is given to the Administrator, who reviews existing data on the student and determines if the referral should go forward for a full evaluation.
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If it is decided that the evaluation should take place, the Administrator assigns a staff member to oversee/conduct the evaluation, including obtaining the parental or adult student consent.
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If the referral is not going to result in a full evaluation, the Principal/Administrator sends the parent a Written Prior Notice of Refusal to conduct an evaluation.
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Washington County School District responds to each request for evaluation within a reasonable timeframe.
How is My Student Evaluated for Special Education?
Washington County Policy States:
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Review of Existing Data:
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When conducting an initial evaluation, the case manager gathers existing data about the student's educational performance for the evaluation team to consider.
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Administration of Additional Assessments:
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A variety of assessments are used to gather relevant information about the student as indicated on the Consent for Evaluation form. This information will help in determining whether the student has a disability as well as their educational needs.
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