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Appropriate age groups:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond
General purpose of letter:
This is a sample letter sent to the director of special education to request an independent assessment of your child. Qualified professionals, who are not employed by your school system, administer the evaluation. You can always have your child tested outside his school district. However, if you expect your school to pay for an independent educational evaluation, then you will need to request this before any independent testing is done.
Laws concerning payment for independent evaluations vary from state to state. Be sure to contact your school's special education department or your state's parent training and information center to find out how independent evaluation fees are handled. Your school may accept financial responsibility for an independent evaluation if the original one:
Was incorrect
Was not done in your child's native language
Was incomplete and additional tests are needed
Could not be done with the needed accommodations
When writing your letter, identify your child, his date of birth, his school, and his grade. Be very specific in your reasons for your request and indicate what areas you would like the independent evaluator to assess. As an example, this letter addresses a child who is having difficulty with reading, math, and paying attention.
Sample letter:
Your Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
Name of Special Education Director
Director of Special Education
School System Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Ms./Mr. (Name of Special Education Director):
My child, (Child's Name), who was born on (Birth Date) and is in (Grade Level) at (School Name), was evaluated for special education services in (Month and Year). I disagree with the testing and I would like to have my child re-evaluated. I am requesting an independent educational evaluation at public expense for the following reasons:
(List your reasons)
I would like the assessment to include comprehensive speech and language, educational, psychological, and neurological testing since my child is having problems with reading, math, and paying attention.
I would like the independent evaluation to be done as soon as possible. Please send me copies of the school's guidelines for this. My daytime telephone number is (000) 000-0000. Thank you for your prompt consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
(Your Name)
Other suggestions and comments:
Keep a copy of the letter you actually sign and send for your records.
Learn more about special education, communication, and letters.
Adapted from "Special Education and Related Services: Communicating Through Letter Writing" published by National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.
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