Evaluating a student's educational needs is an important process that requires the collaboration of parents, teachers, and school administrators in Franklin TN. The special education supervisor or superintendent of the local school system must initiate the request for an evaluation. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that school systems have procedures in place to help parents resolve disputes through mediation, a voluntary process that emphasizes the importance of all parties investing equally in the student's educational experience. When a child is suspected of having a disability, parents and educators have the right to request a comprehensive, individual, multidisciplinary evaluation.
This evaluation may include data collected by the teacher during the process of monitoring the progress of Response to Intervention (RTI). It should also include information from educational and psychological evaluations that show patterns of strengths and weaknesses, as well as input from parents, teachers, and other education professionals. The RTI process is designed to provide additional academic support before the school district determines whether they should refer the student for a special education evaluation. Parents should check with their state department of education or public instruction for deadlines related to RTI data collection.
Franklin Academy Charter School is committed to meeting the needs of students with disabilities in accordance with Child Find regulations. If parents are denied or disagree with an evaluation, they may have the right to an independent evaluation by the school district. Accommodations such as cabins are available on each campus for overnight stays if necessary. Parents can also request a written evaluation and should keep copies of all correspondence related to their children.
