Instructions/Notes Regarding a Request for Additional Assessment(s) for a Child Who Already has an IEP

Instructional Notes Only:

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Possible reasons to request additional assessment(s) for a student who has an IEP already:

The IEP may not be appropriately serving the student’s needs; the IEP team is struggling to know how to appropriately address the student’s unique needs; there are new needs; a current need has become more serious or challenging; the student is not making progress or is regressing; the triennial (3-year) evaluation date is approaching, etc.

To request assessment, submit a WRITTEN LETTER to the School District Special Education Director. Cc the principal, teacher or others involved with your child’s education. Tell the school district that you are concerned about your child’s educational progress, and briefly why you believe additional information is needed.

You will want PROOF of the letter’s delivery.

  1. You may send “certified/ return receipt requested” from the post office.
  2. You may hand deliver and ask that your letter be date stamped, initialed and a copy of this given to you before you leave.
  3. You may fax your letter, print the “successful transmission” fax report, follow up by phone to ensure the entire letter was received, and write a note to yourself about who confirmed it was received and when.

A WRITTEN letter triggers important timelines in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA):

  1. From the date the school district receives your letter, the school district has 15 calendar days to present you with an Assessment Plan for your consent.
  2. From the date you receive an Assessment Plan, you have at least 15 calendar days to ask all the questions you need to feel comfortable to give “informed consent” by signing the plan.
  3. From the date you consent to the Assessment Plan by signing it, the district has 60 calendar days to assess your child and hold the first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting.

NOTE: Calendar days means that weekend days are counted. These timelines pause when the school is out of regular session in excess of 5 school days.

BOLD items in the sample letter contains instructions. Use the letter as a model to tailor the letter to your child’s needs and situation. Then delete the instructions.