How to Request a Special Education Evaluation
Requesting a Special Education Evaluation is the essential first step toward obtaining the support your child needs.
Understanding Special Education Evaluations
A special education evaluation is a full assessment to determine if your child has a disability and needs special education services. It's conducted by qualified professionals and covers multiple areas of development.
- Required by federal law (IDEA)
- Free to families
- Conducted by school professionals
- Must be completed within 60 days
Who Can Request an Evaluation?
Parents have the right to request an evaluation at any time if they suspect their child has a disability.
General education or special education teachers can refer students for evaluation.
Doctors, therapists, or other qualified professionals can recommend evaluations.
Important Note
You don't need permission from teachers or doctors to request an evaluation. As a parent, this is your legal right under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Age Guidelines and Services
Who to Contact:
- • Your state's Early Intervention program
- • Pediatrician for referral
- • Child Find services
Common Signs:
- • Delayed milestones (sitting, walking, talking)
- • Feeding or sleeping difficulties
- • Limited social interaction
- • Sensory sensitivities
Who to Contact:
- • Your local school district
- • Preschool or daycare provider
- • Special education department
Common Signs:
- • Speech and language delays
- • Difficulty with pre-academic skills
- • Behavioral challenges
- • Social skills difficulties
Who to Contact:
- • Your child's teacher
- • School counselor or psychologist
- • Special education coordinator
- • Principal or assistant principal
Common Signs:
- • Academic struggles despite effort
- • Difficulty following instructions
- • Attention and focus problems
- • Social or emotional difficulties
Types of Evaluations
Full assessment to determine if your child has a disability and needs special education services.
Required every 3 years (or sooner if needed) to review your child's progress and continued eligibility.
Evaluation conducted by qualified professionals not employed by your school district, at public expense.
Step-by-Step Guide to Requesting an Evaluation
What to Document:
- Specific examples of struggles (academic, behavioral, social)
- When problems occur (subjects, times, situations)
- How long problems have persisted
- Strategies already tried and their effectiveness
- Any outside evaluations or medical diagnoses
Documentation Tips:
- • Keep a daily log for 2-4 weeks
- • Include dates, times, and specific incidents
- • Save examples of your child's work
- • Note teacher comments from reports cards
- • Record conversations with teachers
Who to Contact First:
For School-Age Children:
- • Your child's teacher
- • School counselor
- • Special education coordinator
- • Principal
For Preschoolers (3-5):
- • District special education office
- • Child Find coordinator
- • Preschool teacher
What to Say:
"I would like to request a special education evaluation for my child [Name]. I have concerns about [his/her] [academic/behavioral/developmental] progress and believe [he/she] may need additional support."
Be prepared to share:
- • Specific concerns
- • Examples of struggles
- • Your request for a written evaluation plan
Important: Always Submit in Writing
Verbal requests don't start the legal timeline. You must submit your request in writing (email or letter) to begin the 60-day evaluation period.
Delivery Methods:
✓ Email (Recommended)
Fast, creates automatic record, request read receipt
✓ Certified Mail
Provides proof of delivery, takes longer
⚠ Hand Delivery
Get signed receipt, keep copy
Key Information to Include:
- Child's full name and date of birth
- School and grade level
- Specific areas of concern
- Request for comprehensive evaluation
- Your contact information
- Date of request
Within 15 days of your request, the school must either provide consent forms for evaluation or give you written notice explaining why they're refusing the evaluation.
If School Agrees:
- You'll receive consent forms to sign
- Planning meeting will be scheduled
- Evaluation areas will be discussed
- Timeline will be established
If School Refuses:
The school must provide written explanation of refusal, but you have options:
- • Request mediation
- • File a due process complaint
- • Contact your state education department
- • Seek independent evaluation
What Happens During Evaluation:
- Multiple assessment tools used
- Various professionals involved
- Classroom observations conducted
- Parent input gathered
- Medical information reviewed
Your Role During Evaluation:
- • Provide complete developmental history
- • Share examples of your child's work
- • Describe behaviors you see at home
- • Ask questions about the process
- • Request updates on progress
- • Communicate any concerns promptly
Timeline Requirements
60 calendar days from when you sign consent forms to when the evaluation report is completed. This timeline excludes school breaks longer than 5 days.
After the evaluation is complete, you'll attend a meeting to review results and determine your child's eligibility for special education services.
Meeting Preparation:
- Receive evaluation report in advance
- Review all documents thoroughly
- Prepare questions about findings
- Bring advocate or support person
- Consider your goals for your child
Possible Outcomes:
Eligible for Special Education
IEP team will develop an Individualized Education Program
Eligible for 504 Plan
Accommodations provided under Section 504
Not Eligible
Other supports may be available; you can request independent evaluation
Request Letter Templates
Subject: Special Education Evaluation Request for [Child's Full Name]
To: [Special Education Coordinator/Principal/Teacher Email]
Dear [Name/Title],
I am writing to formally request a comprehensive special education evaluation for my child, [Child's Full Name], who is currently a [grade level] student at [School Name]. [His/Her] date of birth is [DOB].
I have concerns about [his/her] progress in the following areas:
- • [Academic area - e.g., reading comprehension]
- • [Behavioral area - e.g., attention and focus]
- • [Other area - e.g., social skills]
Specific examples of my concerns include:
- • [Specific example 1]
- • [Specific example 2]
- • [Specific example 3]
I believe these difficulties may indicate the presence of a disability that requires special education services. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), I am requesting that [Child's Name] be evaluated in all areas of suspected disability.
Please provide me with the consent forms and information about your evaluation procedures. I understand that this evaluation should be completed within 60 calendar days of my signed consent.
Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know the next steps in the process. I can be reached at [phone number] or [email address].
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Date]
Note: Keep a copy of this email and request a read receipt.
Initial Phone Call Script:
You: "Hello, my name is [Your Name]. I'm calling about my child [Child's Name] who is in [grade/teacher's name] at [school]. I sent an email/letter on [date] requesting a special education evaluation. I'm calling to confirm you received it and to discuss next steps."
Key points to cover:
- • Confirm they received your written request
- • Ask about timeline for consent forms
- • Request information about their evaluation process
- • Ask who will be coordinating the evaluation
- • Get contact information for follow-up
Important reminders:
- • Always follow phone calls with written summary
- • Take notes during the call (date, time, who you spoke with)
- • Be polite but persistent about timelines
- • Ask for everything in writing
Subject: FOLLOW-UP: Special Education Evaluation Request for [Child's Name] - Day [#] Since Request
Dear [Name/Title],
I am following up on my special education evaluation request for [Child's Name] that I submitted on [original date]. As of today, it has been [number] days since my request, and I have not received a response.
Under IDEA regulations, schools must respond to evaluation requests within a reasonable time, typically 15 days. I need to know whether you will be moving forward with the evaluation or if you are refusing my request.
If you are proceeding with the evaluation, please send me:
- • Consent forms for evaluation
- • Information about evaluation procedures
- • Timeline for completion
- • Contact information for the evaluation coordinator
If you are refusing to evaluate [Child's Name], please provide written notice explaining the reasons for refusal and information about my rights to challenge this decision.
Please respond by [specific date - 5 days from this email]. I am concerned about the delay and want to ensure my child receives appropriate support as soon as possible.
I can be reached at [phone] or [email] and am available to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Date]
Timelines and Your Rights
Response to Request
School must respond within reasonable time (typically 15 days)
Evaluation Completion
60 calendar days from signed consent (excludes breaks >5 days)
Results Meeting
Must be held within 30 days of evaluation completion
IEP Development
If eligible, IEP must be developed within 30 days of determination
Request evaluation at any time
No one can prevent you from requesting an evaluation
Participate in all meetings
You're an equal member of your child's educational team
Access all records
Review and obtain copies of your child's educational records
Independent evaluation
Request outside evaluation at public expense if you disagree
Due process rights
File complaints and request hearings when rights are violated
Bring advocates
Include advocates, attorneys, or supporters in meetings
Schools Cannot:
- • Refuse to evaluate without valid educational reason
- • Require you to try interventions before evaluation
- • Delay evaluation while trying other strategies
- • Require medical diagnosis before evaluation
- • Charge you for the evaluation
- • Exclude you from evaluation planning
Red Flags - Call for Help:
- • No response after 15+ days
- • Pressure to wait or try other things first
- • Requests for outside evaluation at your expense
- • Meetings scheduled without adequate notice
- • Evaluation limited to only one area
- • Refusal to provide written documentation
What Actually Happens: Real Parent Experiences
The evaluation process rarely goes as smoothly as the official timelines suggest. Here's what parents actually experience and how to handle the real challenges that arise.
The Real Timeline: Why 60 Days Often Becomes 6 Months
What the law says: 60 calendar days from consent to completed evaluation.
What often happens: Delays, scheduling conflicts, and "additional assessments needed."
Common Delay Tactics and Your Response:
- "We need to complete RTI (Response to Intervention) first"
Response: "RTI and evaluation can happen simultaneously. IDEA doesn't require RTI before evaluation." - "Our evaluator is booked until next semester"
Response: "The law requires evaluation within 60 days. What's your plan to meet this timeline?" - "We need more data before we can evaluate"
Response: "The evaluation should gather that data. Please provide consent forms now."
When Schools Push Back: Handling Resistance
Reality: Some schools may resist evaluations due to budget concerns or staffing limitations. They may try various tactics to discourage or delay your request.
What They Might Say:
- • "Let's give it more time"
- • "Your child is too young"
- • "We don't see these issues at school"
- • "You should try private therapy first"
- • "We're too busy right now"
Your Power Moves:
- • Always follow up verbal discussions with email
- • Reference IDEA and your rights explicitly
- • Set specific deadlines: "Please respond by [date]"
- • CC district special education director on emails
- • Document everything with dates and names
What Evaluation Meetings Are Really Like
Your expectation: A collaborative discussion about your child's needs.
The reality: Often feels like you're defending your request to a skeptical panel.
Strategies for Success:
Before the Meeting:
- • Prepare a one-page summary of concerns
- • Bring work samples and documentation
- • Practice key phrases you want to use
- • Consider bringing an advocate
During the Meeting:
- • Stay calm and factual, not emotional
- • Ask for clarification on anything unclear
- • Request specific timelines for each step
- • Take notes or ask for written follow-up
Advanced Strategies: When Basic Approaches Aren't Working
Sometimes the standard process breaks down. Here are the strategies that experienced advocates use when schools are unresponsive or uncooperative.
When to use: When you sense resistance or lack of follow-through from the school.
The Paper Trail Formula:
- 1. Always follow up phone calls with email:
"Thank you for our phone conversation today at [time]. To confirm, we discussed..." - 2. Set specific deadlines:
"Please provide the consent forms by [specific date, typically 5-7 business days]." - 3. Include consequences:
"If I don't hear back by [date], I will assume you are refusing the evaluation and will pursue other options." - 4. Copy the right people:
Include your child's teacher, the special education coordinator, and if needed, the district director.
Use this progression when lower-level staff are unresponsive. Don't skip steps, but don't wait too long at each level.
⚠️ Use these strategies only after other approaches have failed and you have solid documentation.
State Complaint Process:
- • File with your state education department
- • Free process, typically resolved within 60 days
- • Can force schools to comply with timelines
- • Requires specific legal violations
- • Can result in corrective action orders
Due Process Hearing:
- • Legal proceeding with hearing officer
- • Can be expensive if you hire attorney
- • Timeline varies by state
- • Can result in binding decisions
- • Consider mediation first
Before Going Nuclear:
Try one more email to the district director stating: "I have documented multiple requests for evaluation over [timeframe]. If consent forms are not provided by [date], I will file a state complaint for violating IDEA timelines." This often gets immediate results.
Common Roadblocks and Solutions
Why This Is Wrong:
Schools cannot require you to try interventions before evaluation. IDEA requires evaluation when a disability is suspected, regardless of interventions.
What to Say:
"I understand you'd like to try interventions, but I'm requesting an evaluation under IDEA. Interventions and evaluation can happen simultaneously. Please provide the consent forms so we can begin the evaluation process."
Why This Is Wrong:
If you suspect a disability, the child should be evaluated. Schools must have valid educational reasons to refuse, and must provide written notice of refusal.
What to Do:
- • Request written refusal with reasons
- • File complaint with state education department
- • Contact parent training center
- • Consider requesting independent evaluation
Why This Is Wrong:
Schools cannot require medical diagnosis before evaluation. Educational and medical disabilities are determined differently.
What to Say:
"IDEA doesn't require medical diagnosis before educational evaluation. Please proceed with the evaluation to determine if my child has an educational disability that requires special education services."
Why This Is Wrong:
IDEA has specific timelines that schools must follow. Staffing issues don't excuse delays in providing required services.
What to Do:
- • Send follow-up email citing specific timeline requirements
- • Contact district special education director
- • File state complaint for timeline violations
- • Document all delays and communications
Free Resources:
- • Parent Training Centers: Free advocacy training
- • State Education Department: File complaints
- • Disability Rights Organizations: Legal assistance
- • Special Education Attorneys: Legal representation
When to Call:
- • School refuses evaluation without valid reason
- • Timelines are consistently missed
- • You feel intimidated or pressured
- • School won't provide written documentation
- • You disagree with evaluation results
Downloadable Resources
Evaluation Request Letter Template
Word document template you can customize with your child's information
Evaluation Checklist
Step-by-step checklist to track your evaluation request progress
Parent Rights Handbook
Complete guide to your rights under IDEA and Section 504
Timeline Tracker
Calendar template to track important dates and deadlines
Phone Script Guide
Scripts for calling schools and following up on requests
Red Flags Guide
Warning signs and what to do when schools don't follow the law
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this guide
Schools must respond to your written request within a reasonable timeframe, typically 10-15 school days. They must either agree to evaluate or provide written notice explaining why they are refusing the evaluation. If they agree, the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days.
If the school refuses, they must provide you with written notice explaining their reasoning and your procedural safeguards. You can request an independent educational evaluation (IEE), file a complaint with your state education department, or request mediation or a due process hearing.
Yes, you can request specific evaluations (like psychological, speech-language, or occupational therapy evaluations) in your written request. However, the IEP team will determine which evaluations are necessary based on your child's suspected areas of need.
You have the right to request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense if you disagree with the school's evaluation. You can also request additional evaluations, seek a second opinion from private evaluators, or use your procedural safeguards to dispute the findings.
No, an evaluation determines eligibility for special education. Your child must meet criteria for one of the 13 disability categories under IDEA and require special education services to benefit from their education. However, they may still qualify for accommodations under Section 504.
Absolutely! You can bring an advocate, family member, friend, or professional to any meetings related to your child's evaluation. This person can provide support, take notes, ask questions, and help ensure your concerns are addressed.
You can request an evaluation at any age from birth through age 21. For children birth to 3, contact your state's Early Intervention program. For ages 3-21, contact your local school district. There is no "too young" or "too old" if you suspect a disability that affects your child's development or education.
Evaluations are conducted by qualified professionals including school psychologists, special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and sometimes medical professionals. The specific team depends on your child's suspected areas of need.
No, you do not need a medical diagnosis to request a special education evaluation. Educational disabilities are determined by the school team based on how the condition affects your child's ability to learn and make progress in school. However, medical information can be helpful if available.
Teachers and other school staff can refer children for evaluation, but they cannot evaluate your child without your written consent. If school staff suspect a disability, they should discuss their concerns with you and explain the evaluation process before seeking your permission.
Document the delay and send written communication to the school reminding them of the 60-day timeline. Contact your district's special education director if needed. If the delay continues, you can file a state complaint for procedural violations or request mediation.
School-based special education evaluations are completely free to parents. Schools cannot charge for initial evaluations, reevaluations, or independent educational evaluations when the school's evaluation is found to be inappropriate. This is guaranteed under IDEA.
An initial evaluation is the first full assessment to determine if your child has a disability and needs special education. Reevaluations occur at least every three years (or more frequently if needed) to determine continued eligibility and review your child's progress and ongoing needs.
Yes, having a 504 plan doesn't prevent you from requesting a special education evaluation. If you believe your child needs more intensive services than accommodations alone, you can request an evaluation to determine if they qualify for an IEP and special education services.
The evaluation process varies based on suspected disabilities but may include cognitive testing, academic assessments, behavioral observations, speech-language evaluations, occupational therapy assessments, and review of school records. The team uses multiple sources of information to make eligibility decisions.
Keep a detailed log of specific examples including dates, times, and descriptions of academic or behavioral challenges. Save work samples, take photos of behavior charts, document communication with teachers, and note strategies that have been tried and their effectiveness.
Yes, homeschooled children are entitled to special education evaluations through their local public school district. Contact the district's special education department to request an evaluation. If eligible, the child may receive some services, though the extent varies by state and district.
Yes, your child should remain in their current educational placement during the evaluation process unless you and the school agree to a change. This is called "stay put" and ensures continuity while the evaluation is conducted and decisions are made.
Ready to Take Action?
You have the right to request an evaluation for your child. Don't wait - start the process today.
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