If you suspect your child has a disability, talk with the principal, and counselor or ARC chairperson at your child's school. During this time, you will work as a team member with your child's teacher and other educators who are familiar with the type of learning problem your child is experiencing. Strategies to help your child will be implemented at school and possibly at home. In many cases, these interventions are successful, and the student's achievement improves.
When interventions are not successful, and the team suspects a disability may be the cause, the team completes referral documentation, and an Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) meeting is called. At the ARC meeting, the committee reviews all information on your child and determines whether a disability is suspected. If so, the ARC designs an assessment for your child that will include formal and informal testing, questionnaires, and observations.
Upon completion of that assessment, the ARC will meet again to determine if the results meet eligibility requirements established by the Kentucky Department of Education. If your child qualifies, then the committee develops an Individual Education Plan which details how the specific learning needs will be met. Regular program reviews are conducted at least annually, and children in special education are re-evaluated at least every three years. |
