By DORCA CASSEUS
The education world can be full of acronyms. You may have heard of IEPs, MDRs, ED, ID, SLP, ICT, OT, PT…and the list can go on and on. It sounds more like an alphabet song instead of terminology related to special education and your child’s disability. In the next few articles of this series, I will debunk some of the SPED (the acronym for Special Education) lingo so you know exactly what is going on when the 2020-2021 school year begins in September.
Let’s begin with how to get the IEP process started. There are two ways to open an evaluation for a student in New York City public schools. A parent can request an evaluation or the school can submit a request for an evaluation. In either case, consent from the parent is necessary to continue to process.
Some parents may notice that their child struggle at home. Maybe they missed certain developmental stages in their early years. Or maybe they see the frustration on their child’s face each night as they attempt to complete their homework. No matter what you are noticing, be sure to share your concerns with your child’s teacher. The school and the teacher may already notice some learning difficulties and may want to move ahead with an evaluation for special education services. But always remember, it is the parent’s right to get an evaluation by the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
The CSE requires all request to be done in writing. If you would like to start the evaluation process write a letter to the CSE, stating your concerns. See the letter template below as a starting point.
Next time, we will discuss what to expect once your referral letter has been sent.
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