The Referral Process
The need for Special Education supports is based on the judgment of the teachers, parents and others familiar with the students’ abilities, achievements, and learning needs; previous school records and informal and formal assessment results.
The referral process to Special Education emphasizes a collaborative process by the school personnel, the parents, and/or community agencies. Different processes are followed for preschool and school-aged children.
For students currently in school, following a period of schooling, a need for Special Education supports may be identified by the school team (teacher, resource teacher, principal, clinician, parent and/or community agency personnel). Parental approval must be obtained. Referral for Special Education supports would follow.
Usually a referral means that your child would be seen by a Resource Teacher, Psychologist, Speech/Language Pathologist, or other clinician, for an assessment to determine what kind of supports will make his/her classroom success more likely.