Special Child Parenting Effects
Making sure that all of Pennsylvania’s children have access to quality public schools
GETTING A SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION FOR YOUR CHILD
IMPORTANT: ELC's publications are intended to give you a general idea of the law. However, each situation is different. If, after reading our publications, you have questions about how the law applies to your particular situation, contact us for a referral, or contact an attorney of your choice.
Figuring out if a child needs special education services starts with an “initial” evaluation. No child can get special education services until the school has completed this evaluation. The evaluation should determine if the child has a disability and needs special education as a result. The evaluation should also make recommendations about what special education and related services the child needs. HOW DOES THE INITIAL EVALUATION PROCESS GET STARTED? If school officials want to evaluate your child for the first time, they must send you a Permission to Evaluate (PTE)-Consent Form. (A copy of this form can http://www.pattan.k12.pa.us/files/Forms/English/PtEConbe found at: ANN070108.pdf.) The form should explain: 1) the reasons for the evaluation, 2) when the evaluation will be done, 3) any records or reports the school will use, and 4) the specific types of tests that the school district will do. You can also begin the process yourself. If you think your child should be tested, send a letter to the school asking the school to evaluate your child. Make sure to keep a copy of the letter for yourself! A Sample Letter Requesting an Initial Special Education Evaluation can be found at www.elc-pa.org.
The school should then give you a Permission to Evaluate (PTE)-Consent Form to sign. The school must make this form “readily available” to you after you submit your letter. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has said that the “best practice” would be for the school to give you the form within 10 school days of your
GETTING A SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION FOR YOUR CHILD
IMPORTANT: ELC's publications are intended to give you a general idea of the law. However, each situation is different. If, after reading our publications, you have questions about how the law applies to your particular situation, contact us for a referral, or contact an attorney of your choice.
Figuring out if a child needs special education services starts with an “initial” evaluation. No child can get special education services until the school has completed this evaluation. The evaluation should determine if the child has a disability and needs special education as a result. The evaluation should also make recommendations about what special education and related services the child needs. HOW DOES THE INITIAL EVALUATION PROCESS GET STARTED? If school officials want to evaluate your child for the first time, they must send you a Permission to Evaluate (PTE)-Consent Form. (A copy of this form can http://www.pattan.k12.pa.us/files/Forms/English/PtEConbe found at: ANN070108.pdf.) The form should explain: 1) the reasons for the evaluation, 2) when the evaluation will be done, 3) any records or reports the school will use, and 4) the specific types of tests that the school district will do. You can also begin the process yourself. If you think your child should be tested, send a letter to the school asking the school to evaluate your child. Make sure to keep a copy of the letter for yourself! A Sample Letter Requesting an Initial Special Education Evaluation can be found at www.elc-pa.org.
The school should then give you a Permission to Evaluate (PTE)-Consent Form to sign. The school must make this form “readily available” to you after you submit your letter. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has said that the “best practice” would be for the school to give you the form within 10 school days of your