Requesting
As a parent, you have the right to an evaluation for your student if they are having difficulty in reading, mathematics, written expression, or other aspects of school.
Parents may request an evaluation in writing, with copies to the principal and the school district’s director or coordinator of special education. Parents should retain copies of all correspondence relating to their child and follow up with the school principal on the status of the request.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Parent’s Manual (available in multiple languages) and a guide from the Learning Disabilities of America provide additional information on rights and requesting an evaluation.
As a parent, you have the right to an evaluation for your student if they are having difficulty in reading, mathematics, written expression, or other aspects of school.
Parents may request an evaluation in writing, with copies to the principal and the school district’s director or coordinator of special education. Parents should retain copies of all correspondence relating to their child and follow up with the school principal on the status of the request.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Parent’s Manual (available in multiple languages) and a guide from the Learning Disabilities of America provide additional information on rights and requesting an evaluation.
- A parent may obtain an independent evaluation at private expense at any time
Your Rights
If you have received an Evaluation Consent Form (Attachment to N1), before you sign and return this form, you may request a “pre-evaluation conference” to talk with a school professional(s) about the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
"School districts shall provide the student’s parents with an opportunity to consult with the Special Education Administrator or his/her designee to discuss the reasons for the referral, the content of the proposed evaluation, and the evaluators used."
The MA Special Education regulation states that each school evaluator must include the following in their written evaluation report:
If you have received an Evaluation Consent Form (Attachment to N1), before you sign and return this form, you may request a “pre-evaluation conference” to talk with a school professional(s) about the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
- who will conduct each evaluation
- what evaluations/tests would be helpful
- when will your child be taken out of classes to be tested
- where will your child be given the test/evaluations
- who will be explaining why the evaluations are happening?
"School districts shall provide the student’s parents with an opportunity to consult with the Special Education Administrator or his/her designee to discuss the reasons for the referral, the content of the proposed evaluation, and the evaluators used."
The MA Special Education regulation states that each school evaluator must include the following in their written evaluation report:
- The procedures employed to evaluate the student
- The results of the evaluation (including the tests used)
- The evaluator’s diagnostic impression of the student
- State explicit means of meeting the student needs
- May recommend appropriate types of placements, but must not recommend specific classroom or school.