Teaching
and Learning

The Special Education Referral Process

Each school has a Building Intervention Team (BIT) that meets regularly to assess and monitor students' learning needs. When a student needs more support than can be provided by the teacher, the BIT may refer a child for evaluation to determine if special education is appropriate.

Parents may also refer a child for special education evaluation. For information on how to refer your child, contact the Camas School District Special Services office at 360-833-5570.

If your child is referred for special education evaluation, you will receive a letter with the date and location of a meeting to decide if an evaluation is appropriate. Typically, it is decided at that meeting whether an evaluation is appropriate. In rare cases, a district could take up to 25 days to make a decision regarding evaluation. You will always be notified formally of the decision.

What if I do not want my child evaluated?
It is a parent’s right to refuse permission for evaluation. You may want to speak to your child’s teacher and principal regarding the reasons for referral.

Assessment of Students in Special Education
Information about how students in special education programs successfully participate in Washington’s assessment system is now located under the Assessment pages of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Web site.
At http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/altassess.aspx, use the left navigation bar to get an overview of the assessment options available to these students. You will also find:

• Information about the Washington Alternate Assessment System Portfolio
• Technical Reports of the Washington Alternate Assessment System  
• Resources/Presentations regarding the Washington Alternate Assessment System
• For more information about the state’s Alternate Assessment program, please contact Judy Kraft, Alternate Assessment Specialist, at waas@k12.wa.us or (360) 725-6089.