Are there any limits on a parent’s right to refer their child for a special education evaluation?

No. Parents may request an initial evaluation at any time (including prior to or during the implementation of Response to Intervention strategies) to determine if their child is eligible for special education services, unless the student has received a high school diploma or turned 21 prior to September 1 of the school year in question. Additional information about parents’ right to request that their child be evaluated for special education services may be found in the Initial Referral section of the DOE’s Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual.