Request for Educational Evaluation – Homeschool or Private School Student

AZ Find

Public school districts must identify and provide services for children with disabilities, including those in private schools and homeschooling. This process is called AZ Find, previously known as Child Find.  

ESA & Evaluations:  

- When a parent signs an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) contract, the public school or charter school is released from most obligations.  

- However, the public school district must still evaluate a student for special education upon request or provide written notice if they refuse (A.A.C. R7-2-401(E)(4)).  

Who is Responsible for Child Find? 

- Homeschooled students: The public school district where the parent resides is responsible.  

- Private school students: The public school district where the private school is located is responsible.  

For more details, refer to Arizona regulations (A.A.C. R7-2-401(D)(4)(b); A.R.S.§15-763(C)).

?? How to Request an Evaluation ??

1. Where to Send the Request:

•  Homeschool Student: Send the request to the school district where you live.

• Non-Profit Private School Student: Contact the school district where the private school is located.

• For-Profit Private School Student: Send the request to the school district where you reside.

Address the email to either: School Psychologist, Principal or Special Education Teacher for your child’s grade level

2. CC (Carbon Copy) to:

  - Principal (if email is address to someone else)

- Special Education Teacher for your child’s grade level (if email is addressed to someone else)

   - General Education Teacher for your child’s grade level

   - Additional relevant staff (e.g., Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist) if you are requesting these types of evaluations in the request, it is appropriate to include the providers responsible for those evaluations. 

3. Attach Request as PDF: 

   - Attach the completed Request for Evaluation as a PDF.

   - Body of Email: 

Hello Ms. Berry,

Please see the attached letter for my son Casa Nova.

Sincerely,

Parent’s Name

4. Email Subject Line:   Request for Evaluation for Homeschool or Private School Student

Helpful Tips

• Decision-Making: The IEP (Individualized Education Program) or MET (Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team) team will decide on the specific evaluations required. As a parent, you play a crucial role in this team. While you can request particular evaluations (such as for learning disabilities, speech-language services, or behavioral assessments), the school may not always agree to all areas you request.

• Details: In your request letter, clearly describe examples of your child’s struggles and how you think special education services could benefit them. Specific instances will help the team in deciding the necessity of various evaluations.

• Maintain Respect: A respectful and cooperative tone generally results in more positive outcomes for all parties involved, particularly your child.

• Seek Assistance: If navigating school communications proves challenging, consider seeking help from a Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate, a Special Education Attorney, or an experienced friend to assist with follow-ups and next steps. For a list of Attorneys and Non-Attorney Advocates in AZ [CLICK HERE].

• Next Steps: Learn more about the IEP process and next steps [clicking here]

Sample Letter

Date

Parent Name  

Street Address  

City, State, Zip Code  

Email

Name of Principal, School Psychologist, or Special Education Teacher (Address to one)  

School Name  

Street Address  

City, State, Zip Code

Subject: Request for Educational Evaluations

Dear [Principal/Special Education Teacher/School Psychologist],

I am writing to formally request an evaluation for my child, [STUDENT NAME], who is homeschooled, [AGE] years old and is currently in [Grade Level]. I understand that the local school district is responsible for evaluating the educational needs of homeschool students.  I believe that comprehensive educational assessments will be beneficial to better understand and address [STUDENT NAME]'s educational needs and to determine any areas where my child may require additional support or resources to enhance their education.

I have observed that [STUDENT NAME] is encountering challenges in the following areas, which may be due to an underlying educational disability: [provide examples, below are some suggestions for parents]

• Organization (ex: Difficulty staying organized, Frequently loses or misplaces items, Trouble following multi-step directions, Inconsistent time management)

• Learning in Math (ex: Difficulty understanding basic math concepts, Struggles with problem-solving, Trouble remembering math facts, Poor performance on tests despite effort)

• Learning in Reading (ex: Difficulty decoding words, Struggles with reading comprehension, Slow reading speed, Reads better at lower grade level, Limited vocabulary)

• Learning in Writing (ex: Illegible handwriting, Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper, Frequent spelling and grammar mistakes, Trouble starting or completing written assignments)

• Behavior (ex: Displays defiance or non-compliance, Outbursts of anger or frustration, Difficulty following rules, Shows signs of anxious or depressed behavior)

• Social Skills (ex: Difficulty making or keeping friends, Trouble reading social cues, Prefers to play alone, Lacks empathy or understanding of others' feelings)

• Focusing (ex: Easily distracted, Struggles to complete tasks, Trouble paying attention in class, Appears to be daydreaming often)

• Impulsivity (ex: Acts without thinking, Interrupts others frequently, Difficulty waiting for their turn,  Makes hasty decisions)

• Stemming or Repetitive Behavior (ex: movements or noises) Repetitive movements such as arm flapping, rocking, or spinning, Makes repetitive noises like humming or tapping, Engages in rituals or routines, shows fixation on a specific object or topic)

• Sensitive to Loud Noises (ex: Covers ears or shows distress in noisy environments, Refuses to participate in loud activities, Wears noise-canceling headphones, Becomes agitated or anxious when it’s noisy)

• Understanding What is Asked of Them (ex: Frequently asks for instructions to be repeated, Misinterprets assignments or tasks, Shows confusion about instructions, Needs one-on-one assistance to understand tasks)

• Struggles to Retrieve Words to Express Themselves (ex: Pauses or uses filler words frequently, Uses vague language instead of specific terms, Struggles to find the right word during conversation, Provides brief and unclear responses)

• Struggles to Hear or See Things (ex: Frequently squints or moves closer to see, Does not respond to verbal cues, Turns head or strains to hear in conversations, Complains of difficulty seeing the board or hearing instructions)

We have attempted to support [STUDENT NAME] through various measures, including (briefly describe any interventions or support strategies implemented by you or the school).

I request the following formal and comprehensive evaluations for my child:

• Visual and Auditory

• Intelligence / Cognition

• Academic Skills and Achievement

• Social Emotional Testing

• Occupational Therapy : to include Sensory and Fine Motor Skills assessment 

• Speech & Language: to include Communication and Pragmatics

• An assessment to determine if my child meets the educational criteria for Autism

• An assessment to determine if my child meets the educational criteria for ADHD

• Transition Assessments (if they are 16 years old or will turn 16 this school year, if not delete this line)

By digitally signing this letter, I hereby consent to SCHOOL NAME to conduct the comprehensive evaluations described above. I understand that the district has 60 days from the date I provide informed written consent to complete the evaluations and conduct a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team meeting to determine eligibility.

Please let me know the next steps and any additional information or forms needed to proceed with this request within 48 hours. If you have any questions I can be reached by email at EMAIL ADDRESS. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Parent's Name]

CC: [Principal's Name] (If addressed to another person), [Special Education Teacher's Name], [OT Therapist's Name], [Speech Therapist's Name], [Class Teacher's Name]

Template Created by:

Le Ann Fuller - Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate

Fuller Education Advocacy, LLC

Special Education Advocacy & Consulting