Referral Process into Special Education

1. The first stage is prereferral intervention. Before a child is referred into special
education the teacher has to implement intervention that helps identify if the student is at
risk of having a learning disability. One of the interventions that can be used is RTI. If
the intervention is not successful for the child, then the child is referred for an evaluation.
2. The second stage is multifactored evaluation (MFE). MFE uses a variety of test like
informal assessments, formal assessments, and observations. The purpose of the MFE is
to help indicate and produce information to help determine if a child is eligible for special
education services.
3. The third stage in the referral process is eligibility determination. During this stage an
evaluation team works together and determines, using Multifactored evaluation, whether
or not a child is eligible for special education services.
4. The fourth stage is creating an individualized education plan (IEP). An IEP team is
formed to create an IEP that is unique to an individual students needs.
5. The fifth stage in the referral process is placement into a least restrictive environment
(LRE). After the educational needs and services are met during the IEP meeting, the
team then determines the placement for the child.
6. The sixth stage is implementing the IEP or placing the child in special education. The
student should participate in general education as much as possible. The child also
participates in state and district wide assessments; however special education students are
given accommodations for these assessments if it is required in their IEP
accommodations.
7. The seventh stage in the referral process is progress monitoring, reevaluations, and
annual reviews. Parents give a description of the childs progress from what they have
seen at home. The childs IEP must be reviewed periodically throughout the school year.
The IEP team revises the IEP if needed. Every 3 years the IEP must be rewritten to
determine if the child still needs special education services. A child may show that their
disability is no longer adversely impacting their academic success.