How to Request a Special Education Evaluation
A complete step-by-step guide to getting your child the evaluation and support they need
Understanding Special Education Evaluations
A special education evaluation is a comprehensive 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
Comprehensive 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 navigate 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."