Special Education

Special Education Services for Private Schools
Special Education Department 360-379-4503
450 Fir Street Port Townsend WA 98368

What is Child Find?
Child find is the process by which a student aged 3-21 years is determined eligible for special education services. Services for children from 0-3 years are also provided through a related program. Please contact the Special Education Department Secretary at 360-379-453 for more information about these programs.

What are the steps in the child find process?
Steps in the child find process include

1.) The referral for a special education evaluation
2.) The determination whether the referred student should be evaluated by the evaluation team
3.) The evaluation itself
4.) A review of the evaluation results and determination regarding eligibility for special education services
5.) The IEP if the student is eligible for special education services
6.) Parental agreement to place the student in the special education program.

What are special education services?
Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a student eligible for special education. These services may be adapted curriculum in reading, math, written language, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision and mobility therapy as well as others to address delays in cognitive/academic, social/emotional, fine/gross motor, vision, hearing, self-help, and speech orlanguage functioning.

How does a student qualify for special education services?
A student is evaluated by the special education evaluation team to determine if the student meets the eligibility requirements as set forth by the State of Washington. In order to qualify for special education services, a student must

1.) Have an identified disability
2.) That adversely affects the student so that
3.) The student is in need of specially designed instruction.

Who can refer a child for a special education evaluation?
Anyone may refer a child for a special education evaluation. The student's classroom teacher, the parents, or a concerned relative usually makes referrals. Most schools have a process of providing interventions and supports to the student before the student is referred for a special education evaluation. If no interventions or supports have been provided prior to a referral, the Pre-Referral Team may determine that more information or interventions should be tried prior to evaluating a student for special education services. Special Education services should be considered when it has been determined that accommodations and modifications provided by the general education classroom teacher are not enough to meet the needs of the student.

How do I refer a child for a special education evaluation?
Contact the Special Education Secretary at 379-4503 and let that person know you would like to make a referral for a special education evaluation for the student. The secretary will refer you to one of the school psychologist who will help you to complete the referral form.

Then what?

Within 25 calendar days from receipt of the written referral by the School Psychologist,

1. The School Psychologist will consult with the Pre-Referral Team to review the referral and determine whether a special education evaluation should be completed on the student.
2. A student may not be evaluated without the written consent of the parent(s).
3. The parent and teacher of the student will be consulted in the determination regarding whether the student should be evaluated for special education services.

Within 35 school days from the date of signed consent to complete the evaluation,

1. The evaluation team will meet with the parent to review the results of the evaluation and determine if the student qualifies for sped.
2. If the student qualifies for sped, the team will meet within 30 calendar days to complete the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the student.
3. A student cannot be placed into the Special Education Program unless the parent(s) agree to the placement. You will be asked to give your consent at the IEP meeting.

Who is on the Pre-referral team?
The Pre-referral team members are the school psychologist or speech/language therapist, the general education teacher, the parents, and other specialist as indicated by the needs of the student identified on the referral form.

Who is on the Evaluation Team?
The Evaluation Team includes the parent, classroom teacher, special education specialists (that may include the speech/language, occupational, physical, vision, therapists, a special education teacher, the school psychologist, counselor, medical experts, etc) a representative of the local educational agency, and others at the school or parents discretion. The areas of identified need on the referral and the decision of the Pre-referral Team determine the Evaluation Team membership.

Who is on the IEP Team?
The IEP Team membership is comprised of the parents, special education teacher, the general education teacher, the parent, a representative of the local educational agency (usually the principal of the public school or the special education director, or other as assigned by these administrators) and any other specialists for services that the student qualifies for (ex. Occupational Therapy, Speech/Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vision Therapy, etc.)

Can my child be placed into a special education program without my knowledge or consent?
No, your child cannot be evaluated or placed into a special education program without your written consent to do so. You will be provided with a summary of your rights as a parent if your child is referred for a special education evaluation. These rights will explain to you the procedural safeguards and parental rights you have as a parent of a student in the special education process. The school district wants to work with you to ensure your child's educational needs are met and resolve any conflicts that may arise around these concerns.

Where will the special education services occur?
The IEP Team will determine where, when and how frequently the special education services will occur based on the student's needs. Parents will be included in this plan and the plan will not be implemented without parental consent. Services may occur through consultation at the private school, at the local educational agency, or other settings as determined by the IEP Team.