9 steps to take if your request for evaluation is denied
By Amanda Morin
Expert reviewed by Virginia Gryta, MS
A formal evaluation is one of the first steps in getting kids the school services they need. The general rule is that if a school knows or suspects that a child has a disability, they must evaluate that child. Many learning and thinking differences are covered by the term disability.
But sometimes a school will refuse to evaluate. Here are steps you can take if that happens.
Ask the school why it refused to evaluate.
If the school refuses to evaluate, it must tell you why in writing. Ask for details about why the school doesn’t suspect your child has a disability. Remember that school evaluators can’t refuse to evaluate your child because they want to use response to intervention (RTI) first.
Call a meeting with the school.
Discuss your concerns face-to-face and on the record with school officials. If they still refuse to evaluate, ask for information on your legal rights.
Consider an independent educational evaluation.
An independent evaluation can help show your child’s need for services. The school generally isn’t required to pay for this, however.
Contact a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI).
Each state has a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) to help parents with free information on evaluations and the special education process.
File a due process complaint.
If the school won’t budge, you can file a written complaint saying that the school was wrong to refuse to evaluate.
Make sure your request was in writing.
If you haven’t already, make sure you sent a written letter requesting a formal evaluation and listing the reasons your child needs one.
Request mediation.
You can ask for mediation with the school. This is when a neutral third party works with you and the school to reach an agreement.
Talk to an advocate or lawyer.
For a fee, an advocate or lawyer can help you navigate the evaluation process and decide what to do next.
Consider filing a state complaint.
If the school violated special education law, you may want to file a written complaint to your state department of education.
