Skip To Main Content

Special Education Referral

If you have concerns that your child may have a disability and would like to refer your child for Special Education eligibility, please contact the Special Education Director, Nicole Kelly, at 660-645-2284.

For children under age three, please view the First Steps link below.

https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps

SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL TIMELINES

-          School District staff receives parent referral for an evaluation.

-          Within 5 school calendar days of the date of referral received, a letter is sent to the parent(s) indicating to them that a referral was received and that the district has 30 school calendar days to gather data and determine if a disability is suspected.  The letter will also provide the parent with a Procedural Safeguard notice and a Parent Bill of Rights notice.

-          Within this 30 school calendar days, the district will determine if a disability is suspected.  If so, the district will meet with the parents to determine the best course of action.  If a disability is not suspected, parents will be notified of the district’s decision.

-          If a disability is suspected, within 60 school calendar days from the date of the signed consent for evaluation, tests are completed and a meeting is held to inform the parents of results of the evaluation. 

-          If a child qualifies for special education, within 30 school calendar days after the date of the evaluation meeting, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed and put into place after parental consent.