Stamford 25-0029

Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent:

September 13, 2024

Case Number:

25-0029

Grade Level:

Middle

Person filing complaint:

Parent

School District:

Stamford Public Schools (single student)

Allegation(s):

  • Failure to accept and process referrals for the initial evaluation of a child to determine if the child is a child with a disability from appropriate school personnel, as well as from a child's parents, or from a physician, clinic or social worker, provided the parent so permits (RCSA § 10-76d-7 (a)(1)).
  • Failure to accept as a referral a concern expressed in writing from the parent of the child that such child be referred for an initial evaluation and such written concern shall be provided to supervisory or administrative personnel of the board or such child’s teacher. The board shall accept a referral that uses terms that clearly indicate a concern that such child may be a child with a disability and should be evaluated for special education identification and services. The date of referral for purposes of this subsection and section 10-76d-13 is the date board personnel receive the referral. The date of referral is not the date the board’s referral form is filled out by the board. Each board of education shall develop a process for accepting referrals from parents who cannot put their request in writing (RCSA § 10-76d-7 (a)(3))

Conclusion(s):

  • The Parent alleges that she submitted a referral for special education to the District on March 20, 2024, via email. The Parent’s email that was sent on March 20, 2024, regarding her concerns should have been accepted by the District as a referral for an initial evaluation to determine if the Student has a disability. Because the Parent directly stated that she would like to transition the Student back to an IEP due to the needs of a higher level of service, this should have been accepted by the District as a referral for an initial evaluation to determine if the Student has a disability. The Parent uses terms that clearly indicate a concern that the Student may be a child with a disability and should be evaluated for special education services.
  • Although the District started the referral process, it is not in compliance with the mandated timeline given the date of the Parent’s initial request. The date of the referral is the date the District received the referral. Therefore, the District is in violation of RCSA § 10-76d-7 and corrective action is required.

Corrective Action(s):

  • On or before August 15, 2025, the District must provide training to all relevant staff on the requirements of the initial referral process for determination of eligibility for special education services including what is accepted as a referral and what is the District’s process when receiving a referral. Documentation of this review and the staff that participated needs to be sent to the CSDE upon completion.