Federal law requires districts to conduct “child find” activities in order to “identify, locate, and evaluate” all children with disabilities. The Child Find process is initiated with a request for a Student Assistance Team (SAT) meeting.

For many children, this will be enough support to allow them to experience success. For some children, a special education referral is determined to be necessary. A referral for a special education evaluation most often comes from a teacher. However, parents, social workers, medical professionals, representatives of an agency, or anyone who is concerned, may also refer a child suspected of having a disability.

Children will receive special education supports when they have been evaluated and determined to have a disability that interferes with learning and meets the criteria established by state and federal guidelines.