Child Find and Child-Centered Special Education Process
Child Find
The districts have a responsibility to locate, identify, and evaluate students suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education and related services.
The notices below contain the following information:
- Changes made from 2016 to 2017 in reporting requirements for LEAs regarding special education enrollment in the Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System
- The rights of a child regarding the provision of special education services under both state and federal law
- The process and procedures for initiating a referral for evaluation for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and TEC Sec. 29.004.
- Where to find local policies and procedures related to initiating a referral for evaluation under IDEA
Updates in Special Education
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Updates-on-Special-Education.pdf
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/updates-on-special-education-spanish.pdf
Contacts for special education referrals:
Bremond ISD- Lynn Drews 254-746-7145 ldrews@bremondisd.net
Calvert ISD- Ronnell Trotter 979-364-2845 rtrotter@calvertisd.com
Franklin ISD- Elementary- Jenna Kram 979-828-7300 jkram@franklinisd.net
Middle School- Gwen Harper 979-828-7200 gharper@franklinisd.net
High School- Carrie Shields 979-828-7100 cshields@franklinisd.net
Hearne ISD- Kim Frison 979-279-3341 kwashington@hearne.k12.tx.us
Mumford ISD- Melissa McDonoughm 979-279-3678 mcdonoughm@mumford.k12.tx.us
How do we find kids who aren’t enrolled?
1. ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) Programs work with children with disabilities ages Birth-3. 90 days prior to the 3rd birthday, ECI coordinates with the LEA regarding potentially eligible students.
2. Robertson County Coop runs an ad in the local newspaper and contacts local medical clinics, dental clinics, and child care facilities.
3. Robertson County Coop also contacts local Private and Home-school Programs to make them aware of our Child Find responsibilities and to describe a process for referral and
evaluation.
What about kids who are already enrolled in school?
Once a campus suspects that a student has a disability and is in need of special education and related services, the RTI or Campus Referral Committee should begin the referral process.
How do we know if the student has a disability?
Sometimes, a student will have an existing medical diagnosis or condition that indicates the possibility of a disability. Often, it is through the work of the RTI process, that academic challenges are not responding to structured interventions. It is important to remember that just because a student has a disability, does not automatically mean the student needs special education and related services. In these situations, it is important for the team to consider options to determine the most appropriate next step.
What about parent requests?
Parents can request an evaluation for their child, however, there is a process each campus should follow related to these requests. The campus RTI or Campus Referral Committee has 15 school days from the date of the request to either:
1. Issue a Notice of Refusal to Test with a copy of the parent Rights; OR
2. Obtain consent to test.
The campus team should consider all of the available data and whether there is a suspected disability and a need for special education and related services.
For additional information, you can access our Operating Guidelines at the RCSSC office.
