SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

200.4 Procedure for Referral

PURPOSE:

A student suspected of having a disability shall be referred in writing to the chairperson of the district's committee on special education or to the building administrator of the school which the student attends or is eligible to attend for an individual evaluation and determination of eligibility for special education programs and services. The school district must initiate a referral and promptly request parental consent to evaluate the student to determine if the student needs special education services and programs if a student has not made adequate progress after an appropriate period of time when provided instruction.

WHO REFERS:

1. Referral for an initial evaluation. A referral may be made by:

a. a student's parent or person in a legal parental guardianship role.

b. a designee of the school district in which the student resides, or the public school district the student legally

attends or is eligible to attend

c. the commissioner of designee of a public agency with responsibility for the education of the student;

and/or

d. a designee of an education program affiliated with a child care institution with committee on special

education responsibility pursuant to section 4002(3) of the Education Law.

2. Request for referral for an initial evaluation. (i) A written request that the school district or agency

refer the student for an initial evaluation may be made by:

a. a professional staff member of the school district in which the student resides, or the public or

private school the student legally attends or is eligible to attend;

b. a licensed physician;

c. a judicial officer;

d. a professional staff member of a public agency with responsibility for welfare, health, or education of

children; or

e. a student who is 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated minor, who is eligible to attend the

public schools of the district.

For more information, contact Megan Cook, Director of Special Education, with any questions about the referral process at (716) 934-2603, ext. 4969.