Transition to Kindergarten Parent Guides: What If There Are Concerns About My Child’s Development?

When you have concerns about your child’s growth and learning:

• Discuss your concerns with your child’s doctor. Talk with people who know or work with your child (family, child care providers, teachers).
• If you still have concerns about your child’s development (social, emotional, educational, and behavioral), talk with the building principal.
• If you think your concerns are affecting your child at school, then you can ask for a complete evaluation. Submit your request for an evaluation to the building principal, teacher or other staff person.
• Within ten (10) days of receiving your written request, the district will notify you and ask for consent to evaluate your child.
• The notice will explain why an evaluation is proposed, describe the assessment, and give you a description of the types of special education programs and services that may be available.
• Within 30 school days (after consent is given) your child will be evaluated. There will be an evaluation team assembled and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting will be held. The IEP team, that includes you, will determine if your child qualifies for special services.
• If the team cannot determine from the evaluation that a disability is impacting your child’s education, then the district will notify you in writing and provide you with information about your rights. Ask a staff person at your child’s school about this process if you don’t understand the information. Or, if you disagree with the IEP team’s decision, you may also request, in writing, an independent evaluation.
• The evaluation will remain in your child’s school file. The information included in the evaluation can help your child’s teacher understand your child’s needs.
• If your child qualifies for special services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed.
• Remember, you are part of your child’s team, and your child’s individualized plan should be based on his/her strengths and interests.
• Always make regular contact with your child’s teacher and discuss his/her progress. Working closely with the teacher as a partner is the best plan for having the best educational experience for your child.

For more detailed information on your rights contact:

Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education (CAUSE), toll free: (800) 221-9105 or www.causeonline.org. The Arc Michigan, toll free: (800) 292-7851 or www.arcmi.org. Project Perform, toll free: (800) 552-4821 or http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/perform. The Project Find website is still under development. Please visit the Early On Training and Technical Assistance website, http://eotta.ccresa.org, for updates on this website.