Special Education Process & Referral Forms

Department of Special Services: Organizational Chart &Overview

Parent Workshops

Answers to FAQ

Advocates for Children of NJ

Autism NJ

Division of Development

Early Intervention Services

NJ Dept. of Education

NJ Family Care

NJ Special Education Laws

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC)

We provide Child Study Team services for each of the district schools. The purpose of the Team is to identify, evaluate, and if appropriate, classify students to receive a vast array of supplemental services and aides.

Students are referred to the Team in several ways, including by parent referral (in writing), teacher referral, or through the Intervention and Referral Services Committee (I&RS). Upon receiving a referral, a member of the Child Study Team is obligated to contact the parent within 20 calendar days to set up the first meeting with the Team. At the meeting (called the Planning and Identification Meeting), the Team, parents and teachers will decide if an evaluation is warranted. Parent consent is necessary to proceed with an evaluation. From the time parental consent is received, the district has a 90 day period to implement an IEP - if it is determined that the student is eligible for services.

As parents, you will be invited and encouraged to participate in every meeting that is held in regards to your child. Parents are valuable members of the Child Study Team and your participation and input will contribute to every step of the testing and programming process. The Child Study Team is an important resource for you as well if you have any concerns or questions regarding your child's educational performance, cognitive ability, behavior, emotional state, or social skills. The Team members possess expertise in the field and all matters are handled in a confidential and private manner.

Resident children living in Englewood but attending a private school may receive an evaluation through Bergen County Special Services (BCSS). Evaluation services for non-public school students are supported through IDEA and Chapter 192-193 funding.

New Jersey has created a "Register Ready" Special Needs Registry for Disasters. This confidential online registry allows citizens to provide emergency response agencies with important information (e.g. if a resident is wheelchair bound or requires medical apparatus) so that emergency responders can be better prepared to serve those individuals during a natural disaster or other emergency. To sign up for this program, go to the Register Ready registration webpage. Or, you can call New Jersey's toll free 2-1-1- service and ask to be registered.

Resident children with physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive or social difficulties are eligible for Early Intervention Services. An evaluation of a child attaining age 3 may be initiated at 2 1/2 years of age. For more information, follow this link to our Early Intervention page.

All parents/guardians of Special Education students are welcome to serve as a member of this group. 

• Dawn Stokes Tyler, President and Willola M. Ashley, Faculty Liaison