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 the following:
- I&RS: Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) is a building-based, inter-disciplinary group that meets regularly to provide interventions for students experiencing significant academic and/or social/emotional difficulties in the classroom. Once the I&RS has exhausted its resources and determines that additional information may be necessary, or feels that the student may be educationally disabled, I&RS forwards a Child Study Team referral to the Supervisor of Special Services. The coordinator organizes an Initial Planning Meeting with the parent(s), Child Study Team, and the student's teacher(s) to discuss the student's academic and/or social/emotional difficulties and a possible evaluation for Special Education and Related Services
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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 to the Child Study team who is experiencing significant academic and/or social/emotional difficulties in the classroom.
Who are the members of the Child Study Team?
The New Jersey Department of Education requires that the Child Study Team include a school psychologist, a learning disabilities teacher-consultant, and a school social worker. These professionals are all certified and employed directly by the White Township Consolidated School Board of Education.
What is the procedure after the referral is made?
Once the referral has been made the Case Manager has twenty (20) calendar days to schedule an Identification Meeting (Nature and Scope Meeting). The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting would be a social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, classroom teacher, speech and language specialist (if the suspected disability included speech or language difficulties or the child was age 3-5) and 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) calendar 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?
No. Before a student receives services an Individual Education Program (IEP) must be developed and agreed to. In White Township the goal is to have the majority of students eligible for special education services receive those services within general education environment and/or classroom.
