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Disability Suspected
Anyone who suspects a student to have a disability/need special education can refer the child to special education. School districts have to have “Child Find” procedures to follow in order to locate, evaluate, and count students that may have a disability are ensured the right services needed. -
Referral Made
If a parent, teacher, or other person thinks a child may have a disability/need special education the person may make a referral to the school. If a referral is from someone other than a parent, the parent must be notified when it was made. After receiving the referral, within 15 calendar days, the school must schedule an IEP Team meeting with the parents. The meeting is called the disposition of referral meeting. Parents must be given a 10 days’ written notice of any IEP meeting. -
Evaluation
when the IEP team meets to evaluate the students special ed needs, they also are figuring out the right testing to be given. The school district must get parental consent before giving the student a individualized evaluation that gives the team info on the students eligibility for special ed & educational needs. The testing must be completed within 45 calendar days after the school has received written parental consent for the evaluations. -
Determination of Eligibility/ Disability
The IEP team will decide whether or not the child is eligible for special ed services based off the evaluation results. The child must have a disability and/or require special ed and any other related services to receive a FAPE. The student will then be identified with one or more of 14 disability categories that are defined in the NH Rules. When the child starts receiving special ed they are to be evaluated at least once every 3 years to make sure the IEP team has the correct information. -
Development & approval of the IEP
Within 30 days after the child is found eligible for special education the IEP team meets to develop an IEP for the child. Once a child has an IEP it is reviewed and revised at least annually and it must be in place at the start of each school year. The IEP does not go into effect until it is signed by parents and school distinct respective. The parents have up to 14 days to review and sign the IEP and any other document that requires their written consent. -
Determination of placement
After the IEP has been signed by the parent & the school district, IEP Team meets to determine the LRE in which the child can receive special ed. When a child’s needs require a setting other than the regular classroom, the team must make alternative placements available. Parents or the school may file for a due process hearing if they can't reach agreement regarding the identification, evaluation, placement & provision of FAPE. Once this is filed they have 15 days to resolve the issue. -
Ongoing Monitoring
The child receives services as soon as possible after the parents & school consent in writing to the IEP and placement. Then the child’s parents, educators & others involved with the child’s special ed program monitor the child’s progress. The team will meet at least once each year to review/revise the IEP. If a parent requests an IEP meeting, within 21 days the school must schedule & hold the meeting or provide parents with a written prior notice explaining why the meeting will not be held
