Special Education Eligibility and the IEP Process.
The Law Office of Janina Botchis can help you at every step of the IEP process, from the initial identification and referral to the evaluation and eligibility determination. My role is to advocate for your child’s rights, ensuring that the school conducts a thorough evaluation. Once eligibility is determined, my goal is to ensure that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) created for your child truly addresses their unique needs.
When a child is identified as potentially needing special education services, a formal process begins to determine their eligibility. This starts with a referral, often made by a parent or teacher, for the child to be evaluated. With parental consent, the school conducts a series of assessments to understand the child's specific needs and to identify any disabilities. A team, including the parents and school staff, then reviews the evaluation results to decide if the child qualifies for special education based on the presence of a disability that affects their learning.
If the child is found eligible, the next step is to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP). During an IEP meeting, which includes parents, teachers, and specialists, the team develops a plan tailored to the child's unique needs.
