If you’re a parent, guardian, or even a teacher trying to navigate the complex world of special education, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to request a special education evaluation for a child.
Whether you’re concerned about developmental delays, behavioral issues, or academic struggles, knowing how to approach the school system with a formal request is crucial.
In this post, I’ll walk you through 7 sample letters that can help you craft your own request for a special education evaluation.
These letters are original, helpful, and designed to guide you in requesting the evaluation your child may need.
I’ll also provide tips, examples, and insights to help you avoid common mistakes when submitting a letter to your school district.
Before we dive in, have you ever felt unsure about whether your child’s challenges are significant enough to warrant an evaluation?
Or perhaps you’ve been unsure of the best way to approach the school administration with your concerns.
I’ve been there, and I understand how overwhelming it can be. This guide aims to take some of that pressure off your shoulders.
What Is a Special Education Evaluation and Why is It Important?
Before jumping into the letters, it’s essential to understand what a special education evaluation is and why it matters.
A special education evaluation is a process that schools use to determine whether a child has a disability that affects their learning.
This evaluation is the first step in accessing services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides children with disabilities the right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Why is it important? A proper evaluation can uncover challenges that aren’t always visible in a child’s behavior, and it helps create a tailored educational plan that fits their unique needs. Without this evaluation, children may not receive the support they need to thrive in school.
Now that you understand the importance, let’s explore the specific letter samples you’ll need for various situations.
1. General Request for Special Education Evaluation
This sample letter is useful when you’re not sure whether your child needs special education services but want to request an evaluation to explore the possibility.
Sample Letter 1: General Request for Special Education Evaluation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally request a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is currently in [Grade/Year] at your school.
I have observed some academic and behavioral challenges that I believe may require a closer evaluation. These include [briefly list concerns, e.g., difficulty with reading, challenges in social interactions, etc.]. While I understand that every child develops at their own pace, I feel that it is important for professionals to assess whether my child’s needs may be best met through special education services.
Please let me know what the next steps are in the process. I am happy to provide any additional information or documentation required.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to working together to ensure the best educational experience for my child.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
2. Request for Evaluation Due to Specific Learning Disabilities
If you suspect your child has a specific learning disability (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia), this letter can be used to request an evaluation.
Sample Letter 2: Request for Evaluation Due to Specific Learning Disabilities
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am writing to request a formal evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is in [Grade] at [School’s Name]. We have noticed persistent struggles with [specific learning issue, e.g., reading comprehension, math skills, etc.], which leads me to suspect that my child may have a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.
We have observed that [give examples of specific struggles], and despite additional efforts at home and support at school, my child continues to struggle. Therefore, I would like to request a special education evaluation to explore the possibility of a learning disability and to determine whether specialized support is needed.
Please advise me on the next steps in initiating this process. I appreciate your attention to this request and look forward to collaborating to support my child’s education.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
3. Request for Evaluation Due to Behavioral Concerns
This letter can be used when you notice behavioral issues affecting your child’s ability to succeed in school, and you suspect these behaviors may be linked to an underlying disability.
Sample Letter 3: Request for Evaluation Due to Behavioral Concerns
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am requesting a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is in [Grade] at [School’s Name]. Over the past few months, I have observed a pattern of behavior that seems to be affecting my child’s performance in school, including [list specific behavioral concerns such as frequent outbursts, trouble staying focused, etc.].
These behaviors seem to occur regularly in specific situations such as [mention specific scenarios, e.g., during group work, during reading time, etc.]. Despite our best efforts to address these behaviors, I believe that a more formal evaluation by a team of professionals is necessary to determine whether there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
I would appreciate any guidance on how to proceed with this request and any required documentation that I need to provide.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
4. Request for Evaluation for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
If you suspect that your child may be on the autism spectrum, this letter can help you get the ball rolling with a formal request for evaluation.
Sample Letter 4: Request for Evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am writing to request a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is in [Grade] at [School’s Name]. We have observed behaviors consistent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including [list behaviors such as difficulty with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, etc.].
I believe that a formal evaluation is necessary to determine whether my child qualifies for special education services under IDEA. Given the challenges that come with autism, I want to ensure my child receives the proper support and resources to thrive academically and socially.
Please let me know the next steps in this process and any additional information I should provide.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
5. Request for Re-Evaluation
Sometimes, a re-evaluation is needed if a child’s needs change or if a previous evaluation is out of date.
Sample Letter 5: Request for Re-Evaluation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am writing to request a re-evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is currently in [Grade]. My child’s previous evaluation was completed on [Date of Previous Evaluation], and I believe that it is time for an updated assessment to ensure that their current needs are being met.
Since the last evaluation, my child has shown [mention any changes in behavior, academic performance, or other concerns]. Given these changes, I feel it is important to reassess to determine whether any adjustments to the existing education plan are necessary.
Please let me know what steps need to be taken to initiate this process. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
6. Request for Evaluation for a Speech or Language Delay
If your child is struggling with speech or language skills, this letter can help you formally request an evaluation.
Sample Letter 6: Request for Speech or Language Evaluation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am writing to request a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is in [Grade]. We have noticed that [Child’s Name] struggles with speech and language skills, including [mention specific issues, such as difficulty pronouncing words, limited vocabulary, trouble with comprehension, etc.].
Despite our efforts at home, the issue has not improved, and I believe a professional evaluation is necessary to determine whether my child qualifies for speech or language therapy services under IDEA.
I would appreciate your assistance in starting this evaluation process and am happy to provide any further information or documentation needed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
7. Request for Evaluation for Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
This letter is intended for parents or guardians who are concerned about emotional or behavioral disorders that might be affecting their child’s learning.
Sample Letter 7: Request for Evaluation for Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[School Administrator’s Name]
[School’s Name]
[School’s Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [School Administrator’s Name],
I am writing to formally request a special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Name], who is in [Grade] at [School]. Over the past few months, I have noticed that [Child’s Name] has been struggling with [list emotional or behavioral concerns, e.g., anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc.].
These difficulties seem to be interfering with my child’s ability to succeed in school, and I am concerned that there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, I would like to request an evaluation to determine whether my child qualifies for special education services related to emotional or behavioral disorders.
Please advise me on how to proceed with this request, and feel free to reach out if any additional information is needed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Mistakes to Avoid When Requesting a Special Education Evaluation
It’s important to approach the special education evaluation process carefully. Below are some common mistakes parents make when submitting requests:
- Not Documenting Concerns: Always provide specific examples and observations of the child’s struggles. This gives the school a clear picture of why you’re requesting the evaluation.
- Not Following Up: After submitting your request, follow up with the school if you haven’t received a response. Schools often have a lot on their plate, so checking in is important.
- Being Too Vague: Don’t just state that your child is “having trouble.” Be as specific as possible about what the issues are and how they affect learning.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Confidence
Requesting a special education evaluation is the first step toward ensuring your child gets the support they need to succeed.
Remember, schools are required to provide a free, appropriate education to all students, including those with disabilities. If you feel your child may benefit from special education services, don’t hesitate to submit one of these letters.
Key Takeaways:
- Be specific and clear about the issues you’ve observed.
- Choose the correct letter based on your child’s needs.
- Follow up with the school to ensure the process is moving forward.
If you found this post helpful, share it with others who might be in a similar situation. Also, if you have any personal insights or experiences related to special education evaluations, feel free to share them in the comments below!
