Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my child's evaluation take?
Evaluators have 30 school days from the date the signed evaluation consent form is received from you to complete the evaluation. Conducting evaluations in the order that they are received is most fair for everyone.
How will I receive the results of the evaluation?
Parents will receive the results of the evaluation through written reports. The results will be presented and parents' questions will be answered at a Team meeting, which must be held with 45 days from the date the signed evaluation consent form is received by the school.
What factors are considered to determine if my child qualifies for an IEP?
At the Eligibility Determination Team Meeting, the Team, including the parent(s) or legal guardian, will follow an eligibility flowchart to determine if your child qualifies for an IEP. First, the Team will determine if your child demonstrates one of the following a types of disability delineated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These categories include:
Next, the Team will determine if your child is making effective progress in the general curriculum. Last, the Team will determine if your child requires specially designed instruction in order to make effective progress.
When does my child's special education program begin?
A child's special education program begins as soon as the dated and signed IEP is received by the school from the parent(s) or legal guardian.
How long will my child have an IEP?
An IEP is generally written for 12 months. At or near the end of that 12 month period, the Team, including the parents, will convene for an Annual Review meeting to discuss progress and to write new goals and objectives for the next 12 month period. After three years, the parents are asked to consent to a reevaluation to obtain new norm-referenced, standardized test results. Using these reevaluation results along with classroom, teacher and parent input, the Team reconsiders eligibility for special education. Parents have the right, however, to convene the Team at any time and to withdraw consent for special education at any time.
How will I know if my child is making progress on the IEP goals and benchmarks?
In addition to report cards, students with IEPs receive special education progress reports at the end of each marking period, which details progress on the IEP goals and benchmarks.
How can my child receive accommodations, such as untimed testing, for MCAS administration?
The MCAS is untimed for all students. Other accommodations that are approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are routinely given the student in his/her program and are necessary for a student to be able to demonstrate his/her competency may be provided through an IEP or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. The Team, including the parent(s) or legal guardian, determine which accommodations will be applied during testing situations.
Evaluators have 30 school days from the date the signed evaluation consent form is received from you to complete the evaluation. Conducting evaluations in the order that they are received is most fair for everyone.
How will I receive the results of the evaluation?
Parents will receive the results of the evaluation through written reports. The results will be presented and parents' questions will be answered at a Team meeting, which must be held with 45 days from the date the signed evaluation consent form is received by the school.
What factors are considered to determine if my child qualifies for an IEP?
At the Eligibility Determination Team Meeting, the Team, including the parent(s) or legal guardian, will follow an eligibility flowchart to determine if your child qualifies for an IEP. First, the Team will determine if your child demonstrates one of the following a types of disability delineated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These categories include:
- Autism
- Communication Impairment
- Developmental Delay
- Emotional Impairment
- Health Impairment
- Intellectual Impairment
- Neurological Impairment
- Physical Impairment
- Sensory Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
Next, the Team will determine if your child is making effective progress in the general curriculum. Last, the Team will determine if your child requires specially designed instruction in order to make effective progress.
When does my child's special education program begin?
A child's special education program begins as soon as the dated and signed IEP is received by the school from the parent(s) or legal guardian.
How long will my child have an IEP?
An IEP is generally written for 12 months. At or near the end of that 12 month period, the Team, including the parents, will convene for an Annual Review meeting to discuss progress and to write new goals and objectives for the next 12 month period. After three years, the parents are asked to consent to a reevaluation to obtain new norm-referenced, standardized test results. Using these reevaluation results along with classroom, teacher and parent input, the Team reconsiders eligibility for special education. Parents have the right, however, to convene the Team at any time and to withdraw consent for special education at any time.
How will I know if my child is making progress on the IEP goals and benchmarks?
In addition to report cards, students with IEPs receive special education progress reports at the end of each marking period, which details progress on the IEP goals and benchmarks.
How can my child receive accommodations, such as untimed testing, for MCAS administration?
The MCAS is untimed for all students. Other accommodations that are approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are routinely given the student in his/her program and are necessary for a student to be able to demonstrate his/her competency may be provided through an IEP or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. The Team, including the parent(s) or legal guardian, determine which accommodations will be applied during testing situations.