If your child is eligible to receive special education services in elementary level and above, the services provided for your child will be discussed at the Committee on Special Education (CSE). By law, schools must provide individualized education programs to eligible children with disabilities. This help is called special education and related services. A simplified step-by-step process of the special education process can be found below.

1. Observation & Referral Process (Under IDEA)
When a child is identified by a parent or by a teacher as having learning issues, the referral process can begin through a verbal or written request for an evaluation.

2. Evaluation and Eligibility Determination
All children suspected of having a disability must receive a nondiscriminatory multifactored evaluation.

3. Program Planning (Development of IEP)
An individualized education program must be developed for children identified as having a disability.

4. Placement
The IEP team must determine the least restrictive educational environment that meets the student’s needs

5. Annual Review and Evaluation
The IEP must be thoroughly and formally reviewed on an annual basis.