This page answers questions commonly asked by parents. If your question is not answered here, please email rsharp@fccps.org.

In response to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly as well as feedback and collaboration with the field, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released a Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families as additional guidance to support accurate and consistent eligibility determinations and access to special education services across school divisions. These video modules will provide parents, families, and other stakeholders with a brief but comprehensive overview of the special education process on the following topics: Introduction (Overview of Series), Identification, Evaluation, Eligibility, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Reevaluation, Early Intervention, and What’s Next. Each module is designed to be viewed as a stand-alone resource or viewed in succession.

For questions regarding the video modules, please contact Bonnie English, Specialist-Related Services, Evaluation and Eligibility, at (804) 750-8187 or Bonnie.English@doe.virginia.gov; or Dr. Zenia Burnett, Director of Instructional Services, at (804) 750-8666 or Zenia.Burnett@doe.virginia.gov. For general inquiries, email spedinstruction@doe.virginia.gov.

Virginia Department of Education’s Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families

What do I do if I am concerned about my child and suspect a disability?
If you have concerns, talk to your child's teacher. Parents and/or staff may initiate a request for a school base team meeting to discuss the concerns. This meeting will be scheduled within 10 days of the request.

What is a school based team meeting or SBT?
The school based team (SBT) includes parents, teachers, administrators and other staff as appropriate who are familiar with your child and his/her needs. At the SBT, the team discusses the concerns, reviews existing data about your child's academic and/or nonacademic performance, and makes a determination as to whether your child should or should not be evaluated for consideration of eligibility under special education or Section 504.

If my child is referred for an evaluation what will happen?
The SBT identifies what evaluation components are necessary. Your consent is required prior to completing any assessments. Examples of evaluations include: psychological evaluations; educational evaluations; social case history; observations; teacher narratives; and speech language evaluations. Each professional will schedule a time to assess your child during the school day. Once the evaluations are complete, the reports will be compiled into a packet which will be made available to the family at least 2 days prior to the eligibility meeting.

How long does the special education eligibility process take?
The team has 65 working days to complete the eligibility determination from the initial referral. Once the evaluations are completed, an eligibility meeting will be scheduled through the central office. Parent's will receive a notice letter identifying the date, time, and location of that meeting.

What happens at the eligibility meeting?
At the eligibility meeting a team will review the results of the evaluations, summarizing your child's strengths and weaknesses. Once all the data has been reviewed, the team will consider the special educational eligibility categories and select those categories most appropriate to formerly review. Each disability category has a series of questions which must be asked and answered to determine whether your child meets criteria for special education.

Where do the special education criteria questions come from?
The disability categories and criteria for eligibility come from the Virginia Regulations for students with disabilities.

What if my child meets criteria and is eligible for special education?
If your child meets criteria under one or more special education categories, an Individual Education Program (IEP) team meeting will be scheduled within 30 calendar days. A special education teacher will draft the IEP based on the evaluations and provide a copy to you in advance. Participants in the IEP team meeting include: parents; general education teacher; administrator; special education teacher; and others as needed.

What is included in an IEP?
The IEP includes the present level of performance which describes both academic and non-academic performance, goals, classroom and testing accommodations, placement, services, and related services if necessary. The purpose of the IEP is to provide a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.