All member districts of the Humboldt-Del Norte Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) are dedicated to locating, identifying, and evaluating students from birth through 21 years of age, who may have a disability.
Students with suspected disabilities that adversely impact educational performance are evaluated by a team of educational professionals. If the student meets eligibility criteria, the team, including the parent(s), develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The educational evaluation shall guide teams in determining the need for specialized academic instruction including related services.
When to Contact Your School
If there is a concern or difficulties in one or more of the following areas that are interfering with the child’s ability to learn:
- Speech and Language Development
- Vision
- Hearing
- Physical Development
- Other Health Conditions
- Social/Emotional Development
- Attention
- Thinking or Memory
- Academic Progress
- Independent Living Skills
Who to Contact
Parents/guardians, teachers, private schools and community agencies within the community who suspect that a child may have a disability can reach out to thechild’s district of residence to share their concerns with the child’s teacher, principal, school counselor or school psychologist.
School district staff can assist with appropriatenext steps which may include a student study team where concerns, strengths and interventions are discussed and/or referral for a special education evaluation.
What is Involved in an Evaluation for Special Education?
Once a child is referred for special education the parent/guardian will be provided with a form to consent to theevaluation in all areas of suspected disability. Oncesigned and returned a team ofeducators will conduct the assessment within 60 days.
The evaluation typically includes a review of records, observations, input from parent/guardians, educators and thestudent and completion of informal and/or formal assessments. At the end of the assessment timeline an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting will be scheduled to discuss the results of the evaluation, determine eligibility and develop an IEP, if appropriate.
What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
The IEP is a legal document that des cribes the child’s skills, needs, and the services to be provided by the school district that will best meet those needs. The IEP is an educational plan that:
- Describes the child’s present levels including skills and areas of need
- Identifies educational goals for the year
- Lists services and supports for instruction
- Determines the most appropriate educational placement