How to Request an IEP Evaluation

If you suspect your child has a disability that is affecting their learning, you have the right to request a free, comprehensive evaluation from your public school district. You do not need a doctor's referral. You do not need the teacher's permission. You can request an evaluation at any time.

Under IDEA, any parent can request an evaluation in writing - and the school must respond. They cannot ignore your request. They must either agree to evaluate or provide you with a written explanation of why they are refusing.

Step-by-Step: How to Request an Evaluation

Step 1: Put Your Request in Writing
Write a letter or email to your child's school principal or the director of special education. Be specific about your concerns. Mention academic, behavioral, social, or functional struggles you have observed.

Step 2: Send It and Keep a Copy
Email is ideal because it creates an automatic timestamp. If you hand-deliver a printed letter, ask the school to date-stamp your copy. Always keep copies of everything you send.

Step 3: The School Must Respond
Once the school receives your written request, they must respond within a reasonable time (often 15 school days, depending on your state). They will either send you a consent form to begin the evaluation or issue a Prior Written Notice (PWN) explaining why they are refusing.

Step 4: Sign and Return the Consent Form
If the school agrees to evaluate, they will send you a consent form. Sign and return it promptly - the clock does not start until you give written consent.

Step 5: The Evaluation Happens
The school now has 60 calendar days (in most states) to complete the evaluation. Some states use 60 school days or have different timelines - check your state's rules.

Step 6: Eligibility Meeting
After the evaluation, the team (including you) meets to review the results and determine if your child qualifies for special education services under one of IDEA's 13 disability categories.

The 60-Day Timeline

Federal law requires that evaluations be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent. Some states have shorter timelines. This deadline exists to prevent schools from dragging their feet.

• The clock starts when you sign and return the consent form - not when you first request the evaluation
• If the school takes weeks to send you the consent form, that delay does not count against the 60 days
• The school cannot pause the timeline without a legitimate reason (such as your child being absent for extended periods)

Tip: Write down the date you signed the consent form. Count 60 calendar days from that date. If you haven't heard anything by day 45, send a follow-up email asking for a status update.

What the Evaluation Should Cover

The evaluation must assess your child in all areas of suspected disability. This is not optional - it is a legal requirement under IDEA. A proper evaluation may include:

• Academic achievement - reading, writing, math performance
• Cognitive ability - IQ and processing skills
• Speech and language - receptive and expressive language, articulation
• Occupational therapy - fine motor skills, sensory processing
• Behavioral and emotional functioning - attention, anxiety, social skills
• Functional performance - how the child performs in daily school activities
• Assistive technology needs
• Transition assessments (for older students)

Important: If you believe there are areas the school missed, you have the right to request additional testing. Put your request in writing.

RTI Cannot Be Used to Delay an Evaluation

Some schools will tell you that your child must go through Response to Intervention (RTI) before they can be evaluated. This is not true. Federal guidance is clear:

A school cannot use RTI as a reason to delay or deny an evaluation for special education. If a parent requests an evaluation, the school must respond - regardless of where the child is in an RTI process. - U.S. Department of Education, OSEP Memo 11-07

If a school tells you "we need to try interventions first," respond in writing: "I am formally requesting an evaluation under IDEA. RTI cannot be used to delay this evaluation per federal guidance (OSEP Memo 11-07). Please provide Prior Written Notice if you are refusing my request."

What If the School Says No?

If the school refuses to evaluate, they must give you a Prior Written Notice (PWN) explaining why. You then have several options:

• Write a disagreement letter - Put your concerns on the record and explain why you believe an evaluation is needed
• Request mediation - A free, voluntary process where a neutral mediator helps resolve the dispute
• File a due process complaint - A formal legal proceeding where an impartial hearing officer makes a binding decision
• File a state complaint - Contact your state's department of education to investigate whether the school violated IDEA
• Get an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) - You can request that the school pay for an outside evaluation

Read our full guide on what to do when schools say no.

Tips for a Successful Evaluation Request

• Always put it in writing. Verbal requests are easy to ignore or forget. A written request creates a legal record.
• Send via email for a timestamp. Email provides automatic proof of when the request was sent and received.
• Keep copies of everything. Save every email, letter, form, and note. Create a dedicated folder for your child's IEP documents.
• Be specific about your concerns. Don't just say "my child is struggling." Describe exactly what you're seeing - falling grades, difficulty reading, behavioral outbursts, trouble with peers.
• Include outside evaluations if you have them. If a doctor, psychologist, or therapist has evaluated your child, attach those reports. The school must consider them.
• Note the date. Write down the exact date you sent your request and the date you signed the consent form. These dates matter for legal timelines.
• Follow up if you don't hear back. Don't assume silence means progress. If you haven't received a response within two weeks, send a follow-up.
• Know that you can request an evaluation at any time. You do not have to wait for a teacher to suggest it. You do not have to wait for report cards. You can act now.

You are your child's most powerful advocate. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, pursue it. The worst thing that can happen is the evaluation shows your child is doing fine - and that's good news.