Step 1: Requesting an Evaluation

• All children suspected of having a disability can be evaluated by the school district where their school is located to determine if they are eligible for special education services. The district must perform a “full and individual” evaluation at no cost to the parents. The evaluation should be comprehensive enough to identify all areas of disability.
• Students must be referred by their parents and parents should highlight their specific concerns in all areas of development including academic, functional, behavioral, and social and emotional areas. Teachers’ concerns should also be detailed in the request for an evaluation.

• Parents should reach out to their district contact:
  • Miami-Yvonne Leon ESC Director yvonneleon@dadeschools.net
• After reaching out the district has 30 days to decide whether to perform the evaluation and obtain parental consent. If the district refuses to evaluate the student, they must provide a written notice of refusal within the 30-day timeline.
  • Helpful tip- parents must hold the district accountable for meeting this 30-day timeline. The child find clock does not start until after this 30-day period.

Step 2: Signing Consent Form

• Parents should promptly return their signed consent to the district. Once parental consent is signed the district has 60 calendar days to perform a full and comprehensive evaluation in all areas of the suspected disability.

Step 3: Evaluation

• Parents should provide any medical records and academic data available to the school district and share any of their concerns with the district in writing.
• Although Florida law requires data-based interventions for public school students suspected of having a disability, these interventions are not required for private school students.
• Parents should reach out to the support services director at their child’s school for support in completing the paperwork.

Step 4: Eligibility Determination Meeting and Developing the IEP

• Parents are an important part of the IEP team. Active participation and advocacy from parents is key to a successful outcome in these meetings.
• A private school staff member should attend whenever possible.

Step 5: Service plans

• Students who are found eligible by the district where their school is located and would like to receive services onsite at their private school will receive a service plan if they are designated to receive services during the consultation process.
• These services may be more limited than those provided on an IEP.

Private Schools Initial Evaluation Process.pdf- Private school initial request

MDCPS Private Schools Reevaluation Process.pdf- Private school reevaluation request

• Academic Instructional Support (AIS) Direct: small group instruction in the area of reading and/or math.
• Academic Instructional Support (AIS) Indirect: Technology, software, educational materials, etc. for eligible students through yearly needs assessment school survey.
• Academic Instructional Support (AIS) Support Facilitation: Direct Support within the general education classroom
• Academic Instructional Support (AIS) Consultation: Support provided to specific student’s teacher, on a regular basis to plan, implement and monitor instructional alternatives designed to support the student
• Professional Development: Support workshops provided to priorate school teachers and parents of eligible students throughout the year. Assistive Technology (AT)