THE REFERRAL PROCESS

How is a student referred for a Child Study Team Evaluation?

Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they come from one of the following: 

1. PARENTS: Parents may request a Child Study Team Evaluation by completing HSD’s online referral form here. Support in submitting a referral can be found by contacting CST Secretary Ms. Maya Worlds at [email protected] or by calling 856-429-4985, ext.1148.

2. PAC / IR&S: he PAC or Pupil Assistance Committee or the IR &S Intervention and Referral Services is a building based inter-disciplinary group that
meets regularly to provide intervention for students experiencing difficulty in the classroom. Once the PAC/IR& S has utilized its resources and determines that additional information may be necessary, or feels that the student may be potentially educationally disabled, the student may be
recommended for a CST evaluation. The appropriate member of the I and RS team must complete the online referral form here.

3. ADMINISTRATORS or OUTSIDE AGENCIES:  The Principal or other building administrator or an individual from an outside agency (doctor, social worker etc.) may refer a student for a Child Study Team Evaluation by completing the online referral form here.

What is the procedure after the referral is made?

Once the referral has been made the Case Manager has twenty (20) days to schedule an Identification Meeting. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting would be a social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant, classroom teacher, speech & language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child was age 3-5) and certainly the parent.

Are students automatically tested if the request is made?

No. Once a request for a Child Study Team evaluation is made an Identification Meeting must be scheduled. At that meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted and if so an Evaluation Plan is developed. 

What is the procedure if the student is going to be tested?

Once it is determined that testing is necessary an assessment plan is developed and the parent/guardian gives written permission. The district then has ninety (90) days to complete the necessary evaluations. Within the ninety (90) days an Eligibility Conference is scheduled where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special education and/or related services. 

If a student is eligible does that mean he or she will be in a special education class?

Absolutely not. Before a student receives services an Individual Education Program must be developed and agreed to. In Haddonfield the majority of students eligible for special education services receive those services within general education classrooms and programs.

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