What is the first step in the referral process?

What is the first step in the referral process?

• A. Referral
• B. Evaluation from a team
• C. IEP meeting
• D. Observation

Answer: (A)

In this process, the first step is to submit a referral to initiate the evaluation. When a concern about a student’s learning or behavior is raised, a referral signals the school to start gathering information and arranging formal assessments to determine if a disability is present and if special education services are needed. After a referral, a team conducts the evaluation, and based on those results an IEP meeting may be held if the student is found eligible. Observations and data collection are part of the evaluation process, but they come after the referral and do not start the process on their own.

In this process, the first step is to submit a referral to initiate the evaluation. When a concern about a student’s learning or behavior is raised, a referral signals the school to start gathering information and arranging formal assessments to determine if a disability is present and if special education services are needed. After a referral, a team conducts the evaluation, and based on those results an IEP meeting may be held if the student is found eligible. Observations and data collection are part of the evaluation process, but they come after the referral and do not start the process on their own.