How to Request a Special Education Evaluation in Arizona: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably noticed something isn’t quite right with how your child is doing in school. Maybe they’re struggling to keep up academically, or their behavior has changed in ways that concern you. Maybe a teacher has mentioned concerns, or you’ve just had that gut feeling that your child needs more support than they’re currently getting.

I want you to know: trusting that instinct is the first step toward getting your child the help they deserve. And under federal law, you have the right to request that your child’s school evaluate them for special education services.

In Arizona, this process has specific steps and timelines. I’ve helped many families navigate it, and I’m going to walk you through exactly how it works so you feel confident taking this important step.

Who Can Request a Special Education Evaluation in Arizona?

You have the right to request an evaluation for your child at any time. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an initial special education evaluation can be requested by:

• A parent or legal guardian
• School personnel (teachers, principals, school psychologists) if they suspect a child may have a disability requiring special education services
• Other individuals involved in your child’s care, such as healthcare providers, with your consent

While anyone can express concerns, your formal written request is what officially triggers the evaluation process and starts the clock on the school’s legal obligations.

The Critical First Step: Your Written Request

Here’s what I tell every parent I work with: put your request in writing. While you can ask for an evaluation verbally, a written request creates a paper trail, establishes a clear start date, and holds the school accountable.

This isn’t about being adversarial. It’s about protecting your child’s rights and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

What to Include in Your Written Request

Your letter doesn’t need to be complicated. Keep it clear, professional, and make sure it includes:

• Your child’s full name and date of birth so there’s no confusion about which student you’re referring to
• Your child’s current school and grade level to ensure the request reaches the right people
• A clear statement requesting a special education evaluation using those exact words
• Your specific concerns about your child’s academic, developmental, behavioral, or functional challenges, with examples when possible
• The date because this starts the timeline for the school’s response
• Your contact information including your name, address, phone number, and email

Sample Request Letter for a Special Education Evaluation

Here’s a template you can adapt for your situation. I recommend sending this via certified mail with return receipt requested, hand-delivering it and asking for a dated, signed copy for your records, or via email.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, AZ, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

[Date]

[Principal’s Name or Director of Special Education]
[School Name]
[School Address]
[School City, AZ, Zip Code]

Subject: Request for Special Education Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]

Dear [Principal’s Name or Director of Special Education],

This letter is a formal request for a comprehensive special education evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently in [Grade Level] at [School Name]. [He/She/They] was born on [Child’s Date of Birth].

I am requesting this evaluation because I have concerns about [my child’s] [academic progress/developmental milestones/behavioral patterns/social-emotional well-being]. Specifically, I have observed the following challenges:

• [Example: “Significant difficulty with reading comprehension and fluency, despite classroom interventions”]
• [Example: “Delays in fine motor skills affecting handwriting and drawing”]
• [Example: “Difficulty maintaining attention and frequent frustration in class”]
• [Example: “Struggles with peer interactions and shows signs of anxiety”]

I understand that an evaluation will help determine if [my child] has a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and qualifies for special education services and a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Please consider this letter my official request for an evaluation by a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) in accordance with state and federal law. I look forward to discussing next steps, including the Review of Existing Data (RED) meeting.

Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] to confirm receipt of this request and schedule the necessary meetings.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Parent/Guardian]

What Happens After You Request an Evaluation?

Once the school receives your written request, federal and Arizona state law require them to follow a specific process. Here’s what you should expect.

1. The School’s Response and Review of Existing Data (RED) Meeting

After receiving your request, the school district must respond within a reasonable timeframe. Typically, the first step is a Review of Existing Data (RED) meeting, also known as a ‘MET-1’ meeting. (MET stands for Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team).

What happens at this meeting: The Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET), which includes you along with school psychologists, teachers, and other relevant professionals, will review everything the school already knows about your child. This includes academic records, previous evaluations, teacher observations, medical reports, and disciplinary records.

What the team decides: Based on this review, the team determines whether additional testing is needed to assess if your child has a disability and requires special education services.

If they say no: If the team decides no evaluation is necessary, they must provide you with Prior Written Notice explaining their decision and your rights to challenge it. This is an important document, so read it carefully.

2. Your Written Consent for Evaluation

If the MET team agrees that a comprehensive evaluation is warranted, the school must get your written consent before conducting any assessments.

Your right to be informed: Before you sign anything, you have the right to understand exactly what evaluations will be done, why they’re being done, and how the results will be used. Don’t feel pressured to consent until you have all your questions answered.

Why the date matters: The 60-calendar-day timeline for completing the evaluation begins on the date the school receives your signed consent form, not when you first requested the evaluation.

3. The 60-Day Evaluation Timeline

Arizona law gives the school district 60 calendar days from the date you provide written consent to:

• Complete all necessary assessments
• Convene the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team
• Determine if your child is eligible for special education services
• If eligible, schedule an IEP meeting to develop your child’s Individualized Education Program

Important exception: This timeline can pause if your child is absent for more than three consecutive school days or if you need to reschedule an evaluation appointment. Keep track of these dates.

4. The Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET)

The MET is a group of qualified professionals and you, the parent, working together to evaluate your child. Depending on your child’s suspected needs, the team typically includes:

• A school psychologist
• Special education teachers
• General education teachers
• Speech-language pathologists (for communication concerns)
• Occupational or physical therapists (for motor skill concerns)
• Other specialists based on your child’s specific situation
• School/District Representative (Administrator)

The evaluations may cover academic achievement, cognitive ability, speech and language, motor skills, social-emotional development, adaptive behavior, and health.

5. The Eligibility Determination Meeting

Once all evaluations are complete, the MET (including you) meets again to review the findings and determine whether your child qualifies for special education services.

Arizona’s disability categories under IDEA:

• Autism
• Deaf-blindness
• Deafness
• Developmental Delay (DD) for children ages 3-9
• Emotional Disturbance
• Hearing Impairment
• Cognitive Impairment (Mild, Moderate, or Severe)
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment (OHI)
• Preschool Severe Delay (PSD) for children ages 3-5
• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

The two-part test: Your child must meet two criteria to qualify: they must have a disability AND that disability must adversely affect their educational performance in a way that requires specially designed instruction. A medical diagnosis alone doesn’t automatically qualify a child for special education services.

Your Rights as a Parent in Arizona Special Education

You are not just a participant in this process. You’re an equal member of the team, and federal law gives you significant rights. These are called Procedural Safeguards, and you’ll receive a copy at key points throughout the special education process.

Key Rights You Should Know

• The right to participate in all meetings about your child’s identification, evaluation, and placement
• The right to provide or revoke consent for evaluations and services
• The right to review all educational records related to your child
• The right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) if you disagree with the school’s findings
• The right to challenge decisions through mediation or a due process hearing

Prior Written Notice

Whenever the school proposes to change (or refuses to change) your child’s identification, evaluation, placement, or services, they must give you Prior Written Notice. This document explains what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and what your options are if you disagree.

If you receive Prior Written Notice and you’re not sure what it means, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Understanding these documents is crucial to protecting your child’s rights.

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

If you disagree with the school’s evaluation results, you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense. The school must either pay for the independent evaluation or file for a due process hearing to prove their evaluation was appropriate.

This is an important safeguard. If something doesn’t feel right about the school’s evaluation, you have options.

When Can a School Refuse to Evaluate?

A school may decline to conduct an evaluation if, after reviewing existing data, the MET determines there’s no reason to suspect your child has a disability requiring special education.

If this happens, the school must provide you with Prior Written Notice explaining their reasoning and informing you of your rights to challenge their decision through mediation or due process.

I’ve worked with many families who received an initial refusal but ultimately got their child evaluated and qualified for services. A “no” from the school isn’t necessarily the final answer.

Re-evaluations: What You Need to Know

Once your child is receiving special education services, they must be re-evaluated at least every three years to determine if they still qualify and whether their services need to be adjusted.

You can also request a re-evaluation at any time if new concerns arise or your child’s needs change. Don’t wait for the three-year mark if something isn’t working.

How to Prepare for Meetings

Your active participation makes a real difference in these meetings. Here’s how I help families prepare:

Gather your documentation: Bring copies of your written request, medical records, previous report cards, samples of your child’s work (both strong and weak examples), and notes about what you’ve observed at home.

Prepare your questions: Write down questions about the evaluation process, specific assessments, or anything you don’t understand. There are no silly questions when it comes to your child’s education.

Bring support: You have the right to bring a trusted friend, family member, or advocate to any meeting. Having someone in your corner can make a big difference, especially when you’re processing a lot of information.

Take notes: Document who was present, what was discussed, any agreements made, and any disagreements. These notes can be invaluable later.

Documentation Best Practices

Throughout this entire process, documentation is your strongest ally. I can’t stress this enough.

• Keep a dedicated binder: Organize all communications, evaluations, meeting notices, and IEPs in one place
• Date everything: Always date your letters, emails, and notes from phone conversations
• Confirm in writing: After phone calls or informal discussions, send a brief email summarizing what was discussed and agreed upon
• Request copies: Always ask for copies of any documents reviewed or signed during meetings

Arizona Resources for Special Education

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Here are some Arizona-specific resources:

• Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Exceptional Student Services (ESS): The state agency overseeing special education with extensive resources, guidance documents, and official forms at azed.gov/ess
• Disability Rights Arizona: An advocacy organization that protects the rights of Arizonans with disabilities, offering legal assistance and information at disabilityrightsaz.org
• Parent Training and Information Centers: Organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide training and support to parents of children with disabilities

Common Misconceptions I Want to Clear Up

IEP vs. 504 Plan: These are different. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legal document under IDEA for children with disabilities who need specially designed instruction. A 504 Plan provides accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for children who have disabilities but don’t need specialized instruction. Understanding this distinction matters because IEPs provide more comprehensive protections.

A diagnosis doesn’t guarantee eligibility: A medical diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or another condition doesn’t automatically qualify your child for special education. The MET must determine that the disability adversely impacts your child’s educational performance and requires specially designed instruction.

Taking the First Step

Requesting a special education evaluation is one of the most important steps you can take toward ensuring your child receives the support they need to succeed. The process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re unsure where to start, or if you’ve already hit roadblocks with your school district, I’m here to help. With over 25 years of experience advocating for children with disabilities in Arizona, I guide families through every step of this process, from drafting your initial request letter to attending meetings with you and making sure your child’s rights are protected.

Ready to take the next step? Call me at 480.973.3553 to discuss your child’s situation. I offer a free initial consultation to understand your concerns and explain how I can help.

Alison Stone is a COPAA-certified special education advocate with over 25 years of experience helping Arizona families navigate the special education system. At Stone Educational Advocacy & Consulting, she guides parents through IEP meetings, evaluation requests, due process proceedings, and everything in between.

Have questions about requesting an evaluation for your child? Call 480.973.3553 or email alison@stoneeac.com to schedule a free consultation.