Published
Ask for the evaluation in writing. A hallway conversation starts no clock.
This is the single most repeated mistake we see, and it costs families entire semesters.
You mention your concerns to the teacher at pickup. She agrees your child is struggling. She says she will mention it. Three months pass. Nothing has happened, and legally nothing was ever required to happen — because a verbal request starts no timeline.
A written request does
Email the principal and the ESE or student services coordinator. State plainly that you are requesting a full evaluation to determine eligibility for special education under IDEA, list your specific concerns, ask for evaluation in all areas of suspected disability, and request the consent forms and a copy of your procedural safeguards. Ask them to confirm in writing the date the request was received.
Keep the sent copy. That date is the thing that matters.
Two things worth knowing
You do not need a diagnosis to request an evaluation — a district evaluates on suspicion of disability and educational impact, not on a label. And a private diagnosis does not obligate the school to do anything; the school's own evaluation is what drives eligibility.
There is a copy-and-paste letter on the site. Fill in the brackets, send it, keep the sent copy.