Referral Process
A referral for a special education evaluation can be initiated by a parent or by school personnel. The referral can be made either verbally or in writing.
The purpose of the referral is to determine if the student has a documented disability that falls under one of the thirteen (13) categories recognized by the Office of Special Education.
Disability Categories
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairments
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment
The district must document the following information on the referral: the name and role of the individual making the referral; the areas of educational concern; a description of the learning experiences of the child, especially in reading and math; a statement addressing that limited English proficiency is not the primary reason for the referral, and the date of the referral.
Once a parent referral has been received, the district has 30 days to determine the appropriateness of the referral. A review of existing data will be conducted and shared with the parent. A Notice of Action refusing the evaluation will be given if the Interdisciplinary Team determines that an evaluation is not warranted. If the Team determines there is sufficient evidence that a disability might be present, a Notice of Intent to Evaluate is presented to the parent.
REFERRAL FORM
The Request for Consideration of Initial Special Education Evaluation form should be completed if there is a belief that a student may have a disability.
If the child is between the ages of three and five, the family should contact the Early Childhood Special Education program (The Acorn Patch) at (816) 628-2653.
For students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the classroom teacher or the child’s parent/guardian can complete the referral form. After the form is completed it may be given to the child’s teacher, counselor, principal, or to a special education teacher in the child’s school.
Within five days of the receipt of the request, the parent or guardian will receive a copy of the Procedural Safeguards for Children and Parents. Within 30 days of the request, a team of teachers and the building administrator will determine if an evaluation is needed. The parents/guardians will be notified of the team’s decision.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Glossary of Terms
Outside Resources
(These web sites are not affiliated with the Kearney R-1 School District)
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
www.dese.mo.gov
Council for Exceptional Children
www.cec.sped.org
Parent Bill of Rights
Public Notice
Surrogate Parent Notice