Free parent resource

Ask Your School to Evaluate Your Child

If you suspect your child has a disability that's affecting their learning, you can request an evaluation in writing at any time. No doctor's note needed, and no waiting for the school to bring it up. Copy the email below, fill in the blanks, and send it to your principal.

Copy & Send

Subject: Request for Special Education Evaluation: [Child's full name], [Grade]

Dear [Principal's name],

I'm writing to request that my child, [Child's name], be evaluated for special education services under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). [He/She/They] is in [grade] in [teacher's name]'s class.

I'm concerned that [he/she/they] may have a disability that's affecting [his/her/their] learning, and I'd like the school to evaluate [him/her/them] in all areas of suspected need.

Here's specifically what I've been seeing:

[for example, 14 missing assignments this quarter]
[for example, melts down over homework most nights]
[for example, reading well below grade level despite tutoring]

I'd appreciate written confirmation that you've received this request, along with the next steps and any consent forms I need to sign to get started.

You can reach me at [phone] or [email], whichever is easier.

Thank you. I want to work together to make sure [Child's name] gets what [he/she/they] needs.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Date]

Before you hit send

Keep the phrase "evaluation under IDEA." Without it, the school may start a 504 process instead of the special education evaluation you're actually asking for.

Don't remove "in all areas of suspected need" from the message. It stops the school from evaluating narrowly. Without it, they might only test for reading when the real story is attention and reading both. Most parents don't know to ask for this.

Be specific about what you're seeing. Numbers and examples ("14 missing assignments," "melts down over homework") land harder than "he's struggling."

CC yourself. This acts as your proof of exactly when you asked.

On Timing

Once the school receives your written request, the clock starts. In North Carolina, the school then has 90 calendar days to evaluate your child, decide whether they qualify, and write the plan. That means summer break, winter break, all of it counts toward those 90 days. Other states differ, so check yours.

A free template from Springboard Advocacy. Not legal advice.