CHILD FIND DUTY
What is Required
All students residing within Lancaster ISD who have disabilities, regardless of theseverity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services must be identified, located, and evaluated. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to:
Homeless students;Students who are wards of the state;
Students attending private schools (including home schools);
Incarcerated students;Highly mobile students (including migrant students); and
Students who are suspected of being in need of special education but who are advancing from grade to grade.
Lancaster ISD Child Find Office Personnel will also consult with private school representatives regarding the child find process and the provision of special education and related services to students enrolled in private schools within Lancaster ISD.
Pre-Referral Support Services
Before referring a student for possible special education services, the student will be considered for all support services available to all students through Lancaster ISD’s Multi- Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) such as:
· Tutorial;
· Remedial;
· Compensatory;
· Response to evidence-based intervention; and
· Other academic or behavior support services.
Right to Information for Students with Learning Difficulties
Each school year, Campus Personnel will provide notice to the parent of every non- special education student who receives assistance from Lancaster ISD for learning difficulties (including Section 504 students). This notice should be written in English or, to the extent practicable, in the parent’s native language and be provided when the student begins to receive assistance for that school year. It should include the following:
A reasonable description of the assistance the student may receive, such as any intervention strategies that may be used;
Any information collected related to interventions that have been previously used with the student;
An estimated duration for which the assistance will be provided;An estimated time frame for when the parent will receive reports on the student’s progress; and
A copy of the Texas Education Agency’s explanation of the options and requirements for providing assistance to students who have learning difficultiesor who need or may need special education (TEA’s “Aiding Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need Special Education or Section 504 Services”).
Services and Support
Students who meet special education eligibility requirements may also qualify for related and support services. These services are designed to help students with disabilities benefit fully from their individualized education program (IEP).
If a related service is suspected to be necessary, the need for evaluation will be discussed and planned during an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting.
Related services may include, but are not limited to:
These services are provided as part of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.
Our dedicated team is committed to supporting every student’s success. We are available to answer any questions and assist families in navigating the special education process.
Sincerely,
Crystal Cromer M.ED.
Executive Director of Special Education
crystalcromer@lancasterisd.org 972-218-1635
Blanca Berumen
Administrative Assist. to Exec. Director of Special Education
blancaberumen@lancasterisd.org
972-218-1635
