Frequently Asked Questions

A referral is a written request for an evaluation that is given to a school district when a child is suspected of having a disability and may require special education services. 

A referral can be made by a parent/guardian, teacher or other school personnel with whom the child is familiar

A written request may be made to the director of special education. The letter must include:

• Name of the student

• School 

• Date of Birth of the student

• Grade 

• Reason for referral

• Date of referral

• Signature in ink

Please also include your information:

• Legal Name

• Address

• Daytime Phone number

• E-mail address

Upon receiving the referral, the director or other designee identifies a case manager. The case manager will contact the person making the referral as well as the full Child Study Team, teacher, and any other staff members who know the child’s academic and functional performance within the school. A meeting must be scheduled within 20 calendar days of the date of referral to determine if an evaluation will be conducted. You are an important part of this meeting! Remember to bring any helpful information with you to the meeting such as doctors reports and recommendations, therapists notes, previous evaluations. 

In the  event an evaluation will be conducted, the Child Study Team (CST) will determine what additional evaluations and information is needed to determine if your child will meet criteria for special education services to meet his/her academic needs within the school setting. The CST will complete the evaluation, develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and schedule a meeting with you to review the results and discuss the proposed IEP all within 90 days of the date of your consent. 

In an evaluation is not recommended, the IEP team will help determine appropriate follow up recommendations, supports, and/or services available within the general education classroom. 

An IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. This is an educational plan designed specifically for your child. This is the culmination of information that results from information provided by you (the parent/guardian), the teacher(s), the evaluations completed by the Child Study Team, and any other relevant information to best meet the child’s educational needs.

Under New Jersey Administrative Code Title 6A, Chapter 14 students between the ages of 3 and 21 are eligible for special education and related services if they meet the criteria for one or more of fourteen recognized disabilities. Eligibility is determined collaboratively by the IEP team, who can recommend classification only if the following three prongs are met:

1. The presence of a disability not due to “a lack of instruction in reading, including the essential components of reading instruction, or mathematics if the student is an English language learner (ELL)” (NJAC 6A:14-3.5(b)).

2. Adverse impact on educational performance

3. Requirement of special education and related services which cannot be provided in the general education classroom. 

A 504 plan is a way for schools to provide support for students with a disability so that they can learn in a regular classroom. This means the student does not require specialized instruction (ie a special education program) but still needs support.

My child was accepted for an evaluation from the Child Study Team. What now?

- timelines
- eligibility meeting