How does my child become eligible for Special Education Services?

A student must receive a complete and comprehensive evaluation to determine if the student has a disability and is eligible for special education.

Referrals for special education services are made for varying reasons, including a concern that a student may have a disability or knowledge that a student has a diagnosed disability.

Any person in a care giving capacity in relation to the student may make a referral for an evaluation, including:

• A parent
• The student’s primary care physician
• A teacher
• An early intervention service provider 

No evaluation can be conducted without written consent from the child’s parent. The school district cannot refuse to evaluate a student who has been referred for an evaluation. The school district must be prepared to use existing evaluative information and to conduct assessments in all areas related to the child’s suspected disability. The MCAS is not a part of the evaluation conducted to determine if a student requires special education.

For additional information download the document formerly known as the “Parents Rights Brochure” or go to www.doe.mass.edu/sped and click on IEP Process, Forms and Notices and select “Is Special Education the Right Service? A Technical Assistance Guide”

 

Page Last Modified Wed 10-07-2009 20:52

Calendar of Events

NAPAC Meetings

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in the High School Library at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006
Topic: Extra-curricular Activities for children with special needs.
Speakers: Meet with Nick Saverese, North Section Coordinator for Special Olympics of Massachusetts to discuss new Special Olympics initiatives in North Andover. Meet with Jenn Conway, Support Services Coordinator at the Youth Center to brainstorm on ways we can all work together to build programs at the Youth Center for children with special needs.

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007
Topic: "An Introduction to Assistive Technology”
How to determine if assistive technology can help your child, what is involved in an evaluation and an overview of what is available in assistive technology in North Andover.
Speaker: Karen Janowski, Assistive Technology Consultant from Tech Solutions

Feb 2007:  
Topic: Learn about the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic in North Andover
Speaker: Tara McCormick, OTR, from the Kioko Center, will introduce the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic recently opened in North Andover.

Thursday, Mar. 1, 2007
Topic: "Advocating for Your Child"
Speaker: Jen Perlitch, Advocate from the Federation for Children with Special Needs will discuss how you can advocate for your child in the public school system.

Thursday, May 3, 2007
Topic: "Let's Get Your Child's Records Organized"
Speaker: Mary Summers, Director of Family TIES of Massachusetts will discuss the ways we can keep track of all that paper work and will supply organizing materials. Reservation for this seminar is required.

NAPAC Request: If you have a speaker that you would like us to book for an upcoming meeting, or have a topic that you'd like to hear about please email us! Thanks