Dear reader,
For parents and guardians, advocating for their child’s education can be a daunting task. From navigating the complexities of the education system to ensuring their child receives the appropriate support, there are many challenges that can arise. For those with children who may require special education services, these challenges can be even more pronounced.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a parent or guardian who is considering submitting a letter to request a special education evaluation for your child. And let us be the first to say kudos to you for taking this important step.
In this blog post, Letter to Request Special Education Evaluation, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of what a special education evaluation is, why it’s important, and how you can go about requesting one. We’ll also provide some tips and best practices to help you navigate this process with confidence and ease.
So, whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of special education services for your child or you’re well on your way to submitting your request, we hope this post will be a valuable resource for you. Let’s get started!
How Do I Request an Evaluation Letter?
As a parent request for special education evaluation letter, you can follow these steps:
- Determine who to contact: Find out who is responsible for overseeing special education evaluations at your child’s school or district. This information may be available on the school’s website or by contacting the school directly.
- Submit a written request: Write a letter requesting an evaluation for your child. Be sure to include your child’s name, age, grade level, and any concerns you have about their academic, social, or emotional development. Be clear in your letter that you are requesting an evaluation for special education services.
- Follow up with the school: After you submit your request, follow up with the school to make sure they received it and to find out the next steps in the process. This may involve scheduling a meeting with the school to discuss your concerns and review your child’s educational records.
- Provide consent for evaluation: Before an evaluation can take place, you will need to provide written consent. The school will provide you with a consent form, which you will need to sign and return.
- Participate in the evaluation process: The evaluation process may involve assessments by school personnel, observation of your child, and a review of educational records. Be sure to participate in the process and provide any additional information or input that may be helpful.
Once the evaluation is complete, you will be informed of the results and whether your child qualifies for special education services. If your child qualifies, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed to outline specific goals and services to support your child’s education. If your child does not qualify, the school should provide you with information on other resources that may be available to support your child’s educational needs.
Letter to Request Special Education Evaluation | How Do I Write It?
If you believe your child may need special education services, writing a letter to request an evaluation is an important first step. Here are some guidelines to help you write a letter that will be clear, effective, and professional:
- Address the letter to the appropriate person: Depending on your state or school district, the letter may need to be sent to a specific person or department. It’s important to do your research and address the letter to the appropriate party.
- Begin with a clear statement of purpose: Start your letter with a clear statement of why you are writing, such as “I am writing to request a special education evaluation for my child.”
- Provide information about your child: In the letter, provide information about your child’s name, age, grade level, and any concerns you have about their academic, social, or emotional development.
- Describe your concerns: Be specific about the issues you have observed in your child’s development or performance in school. Describe how these issues are affecting your child’s ability to learn and succeed.
- Request an evaluation: Clearly state that you are requesting a special education evaluation for your child. Specify the areas you would like to have evaluated, such as academic performance, social skills, or emotional development.
- Provide contact information: Make sure to include your contact information, such as your phone number and email address, so that the school can contact you with any questions or to schedule the evaluation.
- Close with a professional tone: Thank the school for their attention to your request, and express your willingness to work collaboratively with the school to support your child’s education.
Here’s an example of how your letter might be structured:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State Zip Code] [Date]
[Name of Person or Department] [School Name] [School Address] [City, State Zip Code]
Dear [Name of Person or Department],
I am writing to request a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name]. [Child’s Name] is a [age] year old [grade level] student at [School Name], and I have concerns about their academic and social development.
Specifically, I have observed that [Child’s Name] has difficulty with [specific issues], which is affecting their ability to learn and succeed in school. I believe that a special education evaluation would be beneficial in identifying any areas where my child may need additional support.
I am requesting that [Child’s Name] be evaluated in the following areas: [list areas you would like to have evaluated]. Please let me know what steps I need to take to initiate this process.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. I look forward to working collaboratively with the school to support my child’s education.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Sample Letter Requesting an Evaluation for a Student on Assistive Technology
Here’s a sample letter requesting an evaluation for a student who needs assistive technology:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State Zip Code] [Date]
[Name of Person or Department] [School Name] [School Address] [City, State Zip Code]
Dear [Name of Person or Department],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Student’s Name], to determine if they would benefit from the use of assistive technology in the classroom. [Student’s Name] is a [age] year old [grade level] student at [School Name], and I have concerns about their ability to access the curriculum and complete assignments independently.
I believe that assistive technology could help [Student’s Name] overcome some of the barriers they are currently facing in the classroom. Specifically, I am requesting an evaluation for the following types of assistive technology:
- [list of specific assistive technology devices or software programs that you believe may be helpful]
I would appreciate your assistance in evaluating whether [Student’s Name] could benefit from these types of assistive technology. If the evaluation determines that assistive technology would be beneficial, I would like to work with the school to determine the most appropriate and effective devices or software programs for [Student’s Name].
Please let me know what steps I need to take to initiate this process, and if there are any additional evaluations or assessments that need to be conducted.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. I look forward to working collaboratively with the school to support my child’s education.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Sample Letter Requesting Special Education Evaluation Massachusetts
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State Zip Code] [Date]
[Name of Person or Department] [School District Name] [School District Address] [City, State Zip Code]
Dear [Name of Person or Department],
I am writing to request a special education evaluation for my child, [Student’s Name]. [Student’s Name] is a [age] year old [grade level] student at [School Name] in [City/Town Name], Massachusetts. I have concerns about [Student’s Name]’s academic progress and behavior in the classroom.
I am requesting an evaluation to determine if [Student’s Name] is eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Massachusetts special education law. Specifically, I believe that [Student’s Name] may have a disability that is affecting their ability to learn and access the curriculum.
I am requesting that the evaluation include assessments in the following areas:
- [List specific areas you want evaluated, such as academic achievement, cognitive functioning, speech and language, social-emotional functioning, etc.]
I understand that I will need to provide written consent for the evaluation to proceed. Please send me the necessary forms and let me know what additional information is needed from me to initiate the evaluation process.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Please see the following link for another example of an evaluation letter: Regional Center California Sample Letter, Lanterman Regional Center California Sample
Hope you enjoyed today’s discussions on how to make a Letter to Request Special Education Evaluation.
