How Do I Get My Child
Tested For Special Education Services?
Author: Carl Bendroff,
M.Ed.Parents of
special needs students, prepare yourselves for the new school year. If you have
questions about whether your child is placed properly, or whether your child
is getting all the services needed, then request testing by the school psychologist
ASAP . If your child is a hard working student who, despite genuine efforts,
is not understanding many of the concepts, is getting poor grades, or appears
to be lagging behind his grade level by at least two years, then your child
may qualify for adjustments in the educational program. Note: Children who are
doing poorly due to poor study habits will not be considered for special education
classes. Testing by
the school psychologist will determine whether a special program may be beneficial
to your child. Initiate the testing procedure by writing a letter to the school
psychologist, requesting assessment to determine whether your child qualifies
for special education. Hand-deliver this letter to the district office, or to
the principal at your child's school. Expect to receive a "Request to Assess"
form within 2 weeks. The school is required to send this form describing the
tests the various school specialists will be giving your child. Immediately
sign and deliver this form to the school. Upon receipt, the school staff has
up to 50 calendar days to assess your child. The school psychologist will then
set up an appointment to discuss the results of the assessment and offer recommendations,
if any.
MEET YOUR
PAL Carl Bendroff received a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara
in 1980. By 1982, Carl earned three California teaching credentials from UCSB:
a Multiple Subject credential to teach in a regular education classroom, a Learning
Handicapped, and a Severely Handicapped Teaching credential to teach Special
Education. He also earned a Masters Degree in Education from UCSB. Since 1983,
Carl has taught a special day class for the seriously emotionally disturbed
in the public school setting. The students in this setting may also experience
learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder with/without hyperactivity,
behavior disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Carl has developed successful
teaching strategies to maximize the learning potential of each student. | 
