Child Find

Referrals may be initiated by (but are not limited to):

• Parents
• Preschool Teachers/Directors
• Physicians
• Outside agencies/therapists/ECI

Students receiving services through ECI will be transitioned into the public school system starting as early as 120 days prior to their third birthday. 

District Child Find staff will:

• Meet with the family
• Schedule an evaluation if needed
• Schedule and facilitate the ARD (Admission, Review, Dismissal) meeting
• Gather enrollment information if the child qualifies for special education services

Special education eligibility is dependent on the student meeting the following two criteria:

1. Does the child have a disability as defined by IDEA? 
   
   The Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) report addresses these seven areas:
   • Language (Communicative Status)
   • Physical (Motor Abilities, Health, Vision, Hearing)
   • Emotional/Behavioral
   • Sociological
   • Intellectual/Adaptive Behavior
   • Educational Learning Competencies (Academic Performance)
   • The need for Assistive Technology (AT)

2. Does the child need specially designed instruction as a result of their disability condition?

There must be a demonstrated need for adapting as appropriate the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the needs resulting from the disability and ensure access to the general curriculum so that the child can meet the education standards that apply to all children. (34 CFR 300.26(b)(3))

The FIE determines whether state disability criteria are met. Eligibility for specially designed instruction as a result of the disability is determined by the ARD Committee within 30 calendar days of the date of the FIE. An ARD meeting must be held at least once a year (Annual ARD); however, a revision ARD or an Amendment can be held at any time if changes to the IEP are necessary.

Once your child begins receiving special education and related services, periodic reevaluations are required. A reevaluation is similar to the initial evaluation. The reevaluation must be comprehensive enough to determine whether your child continues to be a child with a disability and the educational needs of your child. Unless you and the school agree otherwise, a reevaluation of your child’s needs must be done at least every three years. The ARD committee will conduct a review of existing evaluation data (REED) to determine what additional data, if any, is needed to determine whether additions or modifications will be made to your child’s special education and related services. 

If the ARD committee decides that an additional formal evaluation is not needed to determine whether your child continues to need special education and related services, the reason for this decision must be explained to you. After explaining the reasons why the ARD committee has concluded that existing evaluation data are sufficient, the school does not have to conduct a new formal evaluation to complete a required reevaluation unless you request that the school do so.

As a parent, you can initiate a conversation about evaluation at any time and request that the ARD committee considers updated evaluations. If any member of the ARD committee suspects that an unidentified disability is present an evaluation should be considered. 

• ESLE – Early Structured Learning Environment
• ELE classroom – Early Learning Environment
• PSLP – Preschool Speech and Language Program 2 hrs/ 2 days a week
• Campus Based Speech Therapy – time varies

Evaluation determines goals/objectives which drive placement. Placement is never determined ahead of the evaluation. Placement must be in the least restrictive environment (LRE) where the child can make progress on the goals and objectives.

• Must have an educational need for services
• Must look at how disability affects participation in age-appropriate activities
• Recommendation for services always follows evaluation
• Access to Child Find is part of your child’s free and appropriate public education

• Parent Companion
• Texas Project First
• CDC: Milestones for Child Development
• Early Reading Screener K-2nd Grade
• Leander ISD Communication Channels

For a districtwide staff listing, visit the Staff Directory page.