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Referral to Child Study Team

Referral to Child Study Team

What is a referral?
A referral is the first step in the special education process. It is a formal written request that a student be evaluated by the CST to determine whether a student is eligible for special education and related services, or by the speech/language specialist to determine whether a student is eligible for speech services.

Who can refer?
Students may be referred to the CST or for a speech evaluation by instructional staff, school administration, parents/guardians, or community agencies. Parents should submit their written request to the teacher, principal, or Director of Pupil Services.

When should a student be referred?
Generally, students who present with academic and/or behavioral difficulties are first referred for intervention through Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) within the general education setting. Interventions in the general education classroom should be attempted prior to a CST or speech referral.
When interventions in the general education classroom are not appropriate, or when interventions are not effective, the student will be referred to the CST or speech/language specialist for evaluation.

Once a student is referred, what happens next?
Once a referral is received, the parents will be invited to an Identification Meeting that will be scheduled within 20 days of receipt of the referral (excluding school vacations other than summer vacation).

Based on a review of available information about the student’s educational progress, a decision will be made at this meeting whether a CST or speech evaluation is warranted.

  • If an evaluation is warranted, the nature and scope of the CST or speech evaluation will be discussed.
  • If it appears that the problem can be alleviated with interventions in the general education program and the student has not participated in the I&RS process, there may be a decision not to conduct an evaluation, and to refer the student to I&RS for development of interventions, suggest other interventions for the parent to pursue; or refer the student to the 504 Committee.
  • If an evaluation is not warranted and a student has already been receiving intervention through the I&RS process, the student’s I&RS action plan can continue or be adjusted.

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