PSD Referral Process
PSD Referral Process
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be
referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they
come from one of the following:
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be
referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they
come from one of the following:
Parent(s): Parent(s) may initiate a Child Study Team referral for their child who may be
experiencing significant academic, behavioral or emotional difficulties in the classroom by
contacting the Administrator of Special Services and forwarding the request in writing. NOTE:
E-mail referrals are not accepted.
I&RS: Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) is a building-based, interdisciplinary team that
meets regularly to provide intervention(s) for students experiencing significant academic,
behavioral or emotional difficulties in the classroom. School staff typically refer students to the
I&RS team. Once I&RS has exhausted its resources and determines that additional information
may be necessary, or feels that the student may be educationally disabled, the I&RS forwards a
Child Study Team referral to the Administrator of Special Services. The Administrator will
coordinate an Identification Meeting with the parent(s), Child Study Team and the student’s
teacher(s) to discuss the student’s academic, behavioral or emotional difficulties and a possible
evaluation for Special Education and Related Services.
Outside Agencies: An individual from an outside agency (doctor, social worker, etc) may refer
a student to the Child Study Team who is experiencing significant academic, behavioral or
emotional difficulties in the classroom.
Members of the Child Study Team
The New Jersey Department of Education requires that the Child Study Team include a School
Psychologist, a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant, and a School Social Worker.
Professionals that provide related services, like speech and language therapists, occupational
therapists and physical therapists may also be members of the Child Study Team if needed.
Above professionals are all certified and employed by the Phillipsburg Board of Education.
The New Jersey Department of Education requires that the Child Study Team include a School
Psychologist, a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant, and a School Social Worker.
Professionals that provide related services, like speech and language therapists, occupational
therapists and physical therapists may also be members of the Child Study Team if needed.
Above professionals are all certified and employed by the Phillipsburg Board of Education.
After the referral is made?
Once the referral has been made, a Case Manager is assigned and has twenty (20) days to
schedule an Identification Meeting. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting
would be a social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, classroom
teacher, speech-language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child is
age 3-5) and the parent. Other specialists may be included as well if needs are suspected in
their areas of expertise.
Once the referral has been made, a Case Manager is assigned and has twenty (20) days to
schedule an Identification Meeting. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting
would be a social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, classroom
teacher, speech-language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child is
age 3-5) and the parent. Other specialists may be included as well if needs are suspected in
their areas of expertise.
Are students automatically tested if the request is made?
No. At the Identification Meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted
and if so an Evaluation Plan is developed.
No. At the Identification Meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted
and if so an Evaluation Plan is developed.
What happens if it is determined that the student needs to be tested?
Once it is determined that testing is necessary an Evaluation Plan is developed and the
parent/guardian gives written permission. The district then has ninety (90) days to complete the
necessary evaluations. Within the ninety (90) days an Eligibility Conference is scheduled
where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special
education and/or related services.
Once it is determined that testing is necessary an Evaluation Plan is developed and the
parent/guardian gives written permission. The district then has ninety (90) days to complete the
necessary evaluations. Within the ninety (90) days an Eligibility Conference is scheduled
where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special
education and/or related services.
Eligibility of Students
A student shall be determined eligible and classified “eligible for special education and
related services” when the student has one or more of the following disabilities as defined in
6A:14. There are 14 categories:
A student shall be determined eligible and classified “eligible for special education and
related services” when the student has one or more of the following disabilities as defined in
6A:14. There are 14 categories:
1. Auditory Impaired
2. Autistic
3. Intellectual Disability
4. Communication Impairment
5. Emotional Regulation Impairment
6. Multiple Disabilities
7. Deaf/Blind
8. Orthopedic Impairment
9. Other Health Impairment
10. Pre-School Child with a Disability
11. Social Maladjustment
12. Specific Learning Disability
13. Traumatic Brain Injury
14. Visual Impairment
2. Autistic
3. Intellectual Disability
4. Communication Impairment
5. Emotional Regulation Impairment
6. Multiple Disabilities
7. Deaf/Blind
8. Orthopedic Impairment
9. Other Health Impairment
10. Pre-School Child with a Disability
11. Social Maladjustment
12. Specific Learning Disability
13. Traumatic Brain Injury
14. Visual Impairment
Programs and Services
If the child is found eligible for special education services, the appropriateness of placement is
decided with the IEP Team from a continuum of services, which could include:
If the child is found eligible for special education services, the appropriateness of placement is
decided with the IEP Team from a continuum of services, which could include:
· General Education Placement
· General Education w/ Consultation
· Alternative School Placement
· In-Class Support w/ Teacher
· In-Class Assistance w/ Aide
· In-Class Resource
· Out of Class Resource
· Self-Contained Program
· Out of District Private Placement
· Home Instruction
· General Education w/ Consultation
· Alternative School Placement
· In-Class Support w/ Teacher
· In-Class Assistance w/ Aide
· In-Class Resource
· Out of Class Resource
· Self-Contained Program
· Out of District Private Placement
· Home Instruction
· Related Services:
* ABA Therapy
* Counseling
* Occupational Therapy
* Physical Therapy
* Speech Therapy
· Assistive Technologies
* Counseling
* Occupational Therapy
* Physical Therapy
* Speech Therapy
· Assistive Technologies