Department Contacts and Structure

A child may be referred for a Child Study Team evaluation based on a written request from a parent, teacher, counselor, school administrator, or the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)/Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS)  committee. A referral is recommended when a student displays severe difficulty in the general education classroom due to potential learning disabilities, behavioral/social difficulties, chronic illness, or other emotional, neurological, intellectual, or communication difficulties.
 
After a referral is received, an initial planning meeting is held to establish whether an evaluation is warranted. Parent(s)/guardian(s) participate in this initial meeting with the Child Study Team, other specialists, if needed, and the child’s classroom teacher. If there is an agreement to conduct an evaluation, the parent(s)/guardian(s) provide written consent regarding the nature and scope of the evaluation before it is conducted.
 
The evaluation may include the review of relevant data, standardized testing, an observation, and interviews with parent(s)/guardian(s) and classroom teachers to determine whether the child meets the eligibility requirements of a disability as defined by the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 14, Special Education. If the evaluation determines that a child does have a disability, another meeting is scheduled to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to address the child’s needs. A full continuum of programs and services are available in the School District of South Orange and Maplewood to meet the needs of students with disabilities.