1. Exceptional Lives
  2. Louisiana Guides
  3. What to Do if Your Child Struggles in School
  4. The Evaluation for Special Education

Getting a referral for the evaluation

Usually, your child's teacher or other school staff will make a referral for the evaluation. But you can also do it yourself. No matter who is making the referral, it's important to put this in writing! This will help you keep track of when you made the request and who it was sent to.

Here's what you can do:

  • If your child's teacher or principal has not started this process, contact the Director of Special Education (or ESS) at your school district. Tell them you would like a referral for a pupil appraisal evaluation.

  • Ask for a copy of the referral. Make sure it has a date.

  • Ask questions! If there's anything you don't understand, ask them to clarify it for you.

  • Note: You can still request an evaluation even if the school is trying different interventions to see if they help your child learn.  

You have a legal right to ask for an evaluation if you suspect that your child may have a disability that affects their learning!

Click the boxes below to learn more:

This rarely happens! 

But if it does, the school must explain why they are denying your request in writing and send it to you. This is called a Prior Notice.

If you don't understand their reasons, ask the school to meet with you to explain.

For more information about the whole process, see this 29-page booklet:

Source: LA DOE

The Prior Notice must include :

  1. A description of the action refused by the school system

  2. An explanation of why the LEA refuses to take the action

  3. A description of each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report the agency used as a basis for the refused action

  4. A statement that the parents of a student with a disability have protection under the procedural safeguards

  5. Sources for parents to contact to get help in understanding their procedural safeguards

  6. A description of other factors that are relevant to the school district's refusal

Here is a sample Prior Notice letter. Take a look! (Click to open it in a new tab on your screen.)

Source: LA DOE

'Image of a folder and a sheet of ruled paper.'Keep records of all your communications with the school!

  • Include emails, letters, phone calls, even conversations
  • Make sure there's a date
  • This can prove what you have asked for, and when
  • It may help later on if you have to stick up for your rights

 

What happens next?

  • The school district will send you a form to sign to give consent (permission) for the evaluation

  • They also must give you a copy of the 29-page booklet (at the link below) that describes the whole process and your legal rights:

Louisiana's Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities: Special Education Processes and Procedural Safeguards (Click on the link to open it in a new window on your screen)

 

Image of a globe with the word language translated in different languages. Do you speak a different language? Know your rights! You have a right to get all information in your own language! This means paperwork and meetings. Ask for an interpreter or translated notices if you need them.

 

Source: LA DOE