What is a referral?
A referral is a written request for an evaluation that is given to the school district when a child is suspected of having a disability and might need special education services. The Ramapo Indian Hills High School District will accept the use of electronic mail from the parent(s) to submit requests to school officials regarding referral, identification, evaluation, classification, and the provision of a free, appropriate public education. Click here for a Referral Letter sample.
Who can make a referral?
If you believe that your child may have a disability, you may refer your child for an evaluation by submitting a written request to your school district. When writing to the school district about special education issues, you should direct your inquiry to the school principal and director of special education, or other appropriate school official.
What happens when a referral is made?
Within 20 calendar days (excluding district board of education school holidays, but including summer vacation) following receipt of a referral of a student, the Child Study Team shall meet with the parent(s) and the student’s regular education teacher to determine the need for a comprehensive evaluation. If evaluations are warranted, an evaluation plan will be developed. The evaluations will begin upon receipt of parental consent.
Time Line:
After completing the evaluation, the Child Study Team will hold a conference with the parent(s) and the student’s teacher to share findings and determine eligibility for special education and related services. If the student is found eligible for special education and related services, then an Individual Education Program (IEP) can be developed with the additional input from a special education teacher. Implementation of any new program is to be effected within 90 calendar days from the date of parent consent to evaluate.
Evaluation Components:
A comprehensive Child Study Team evaluation consists of several components, each conducted on an individual basis. A comprehensive evaluation specifically consists of at least two of the following:
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A Psychological Assessment – the responsibility of a certified School Psychologist. This may include teacher conferences, observation of the student in other than a testing session, and an appraisal of the current cognitive, social, adaptive and emotional status of the student.
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An Educational Assessment – the responsibility of a certified Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. This may include observation of the student in other than a testing session, review of the student’s educational history, conferences with the student’s teacher(s), and an evaluation and analysis of the pupils academic performance and learning characteristics.
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A Social Assessment – the responsibility of a certified School Social Worker. This may include observation of the student and communication with the student and parent(s), an evaluation of the student’s adaptive social functioning and emotional development and of the family, social and cultural factors which influence the student’s learning and behavior in the educational setting.
In addition to evaluations performed by the Child Study Team, determination of certain disabling conditions requires specialist examinations – such as speech, hearing, neurological, psychiatric, medical, etc. These and /or others are to be obtained as warranted.