A federal law requiring public schools to locate, identify, and evaluate children who may need special education. This covers children birth to 21 years old and includes all children whether in public or private schools, home schooled, as well as children who are migrants or without homes.
Child Find is a requirement under federal law. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requires that states have policies in place mandating that every school district locate and identify students between the ages of 3 and 22 who are in need of special education supports.
Child Find involves screening and, if necessary, evaluating children to determine if they are in need of special education services.
It is the district’s responsibility to identify all students no matter the severity of their disability, to include students enrolled in private school, in a hospital situation, experiencing homelessness, and in any grade.
Some parents with preschool age children may notice that their child is struggling to meet milestones. As a child approaches 3 years of age, the parent can contact their school district and ask about Child Find screenings. Once screenings and evaluations are completed, the district team, including the parent, will discuss the findings from the assessments and determine if the child is eligible for special education services, starting in a pre-school setting.
Districts will run their preschool programs in accordance with individual state regulations and district policy. A preschool program in one state or school district might look slightly different than one in another state or district. All programs are required to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
Child Find is a requirement under federal law. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requires that states have policies in place mandating that every school district locate and identify students between the ages of 3 and 22 who are in need of special education supports.
Child Find involves screening and, if necessary, evaluating children to determine if they are in need of special education services.
Read More about Special Education & Child Find.
If you feel that your child between the ages of 3 and 22 may be in need of special education services, contact your child’s school or school district’s special education department and ask for assistance in starting the process.
Or, give me a call for your free 15 minute consultation and I can assist in getting the process moving!
Call me: 919-510-3180
Or request a consult on my website
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