How to Request a Special Education Evaluation (And Actually Get Results) 🎓📝
If your child continues to struggle academically, behaviorally, or emotionally—even with building-level interventions in place—it may be time to formally request a multi-factored evaluation for special education services.
This is the first step in determining whether your child qualifies for an IEP (Individualized Education Program).
Here’s exactly how the process works and how to advocate effectively.
Step 1: Submit a Formal Request for an Evaluation 📨
📌 What to do: Send a written request (email or letter) to your child’s building administrator or school counselor.
(🚨 Verbal requests should count but make sure you have it in writing!)
📌 What to include:
✔ Your child’s full name
✔ Specific concerns (academic, behavioral, mental health, etc.)
✔ Your availability for a meeting
(Scroll down for a ready-to-use email template!)
📌 What happens next?
The school district has 30 days to schedule a team meeting (often called a Suspected Disability Meeting) to discuss your request and determine next steps.
Step 2: Attend the Suspected Disability Meeting 🏫
At this meeting, you’ll sit down with:
✔ Your child’s teacher
✔ A building or district administrator
✔ A school psychologist
✔ Any relevant specialists (counselor, intervention specialist, etc.)
What’s the goal of this meeting?
1️⃣ Discuss your concerns and review any existing interventions.
2️⃣ Determine whether a disability is suspected and if an evaluation is warranted.
3️⃣ Decide whether more interventions should be tried first before moving to evaluation.
(🚨 Schools often push to try more interventions before evaluating. If your child has already been through MTSS/RTI with no progress, push for the evaluation.)
Step 3: The School Approves the Evaluation & Obtains Consent ✍️
If the team agrees to suspect a disability, the district has 30 days to:
📌 Complete the formal referral paperwork
📌 Create an evaluation plan
📌 Obtain parent consent to proceed
🚀 Fast-track tip: Some school psychologists bring the paperwork to the meeting so they can get consent immediately—this speeds up the process!
Step 4: The Evaluation is Conducted 📊
Once you sign the consent form, the school has 60 days to:
✔ Conduct assessments (academic, behavioral, psychological, etc.)
✔ Gather data from teachers & parents
✔ Review medical records (if applicable)
✔ Complete any standardized testing
Step 5: Review the Evaluation Results 📋
After the evaluation is completed, the school must hold a follow-up meeting to:
📌 Review the data & determine eligibility for special education services
📌 Discuss whether your child qualifies for an IEP (Individualized Education Program)
📌 If eligible, create an IEP with specific goals, accommodations, and services
(🚨 If the school denies services, you can appeal. More on that in a later post!)
📩 Email Template: How to Request a Special Education Evaluation
💡 Copy & paste this into an email to your child’s school administrator or counselor.
Subject: Request for Multi-Factored Evaluation for Special Education Services
Dear [Administrator/Counselor’s Name],
I am requesting a formal multi-factored evaluation for special education services for my child, [Your Child’s Full Name], who attends [School Name].
I have concerns regarding:
1️⃣ [Insert concern #1]
2️⃣ [Insert concern #2]
3️⃣ [Insert concern #3]
I understand that a team meeting must be scheduled within the next 30 days to discuss my request. I am available to meet on: [Insert your available dates/times].
Thank you for your time and for supporting my child’s education. I look forward to working together on next steps.
Best,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Coming Next Week…
📌 IEP vs. 504 Plans: What’s the Difference?
Need help navigating the special education process? We’ve got your back. 💚
📞 Call or text: 614-470-4466
📧 Email: admin@achievepsychology.org
🌐 Visit: www.achievepsychology.org
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