Child Find

Identification

The IDEA requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing in the state, from birth to 21, who need early intervention or special education services. This “child find” requirement applies to all children living in the state, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools and “highly mobile” children, which are those children who move frequently, such as military-connected children; migrant children; homeless children; and children who are in the foster care system. The child find regulations also apply to children suspected of having a disability, even though they are advancing from grade to grade. It also guarantees eligible children with disabilities a FAPE, based on the child’s unique needs, in the child’s least restrictive environment.

Screening

Schools may not rely solely on parents to request special education services for their children but must have a system to locate students needing services. In Arizona, schools must screen all children for disabilities within 45 calendar days:

  1. After the child enters a preschool program or kindergarten.

  2. After a child enrolls in a new school without appropriate records of screening, evaluation and progress in school.

  3. Upon notification of concern by the parent.

In Arizona, screening procedures must include hearing and vision status and consideration of cognitive, academic, communication, motor, social, behavioral, and adaptive development. Screening does not include a comprehensive evaluation, and parental consent is not required before screening.

To request a screening, please fill out the form in English or Spanish.

English
Spanish

2024-25 Screening Dates

Interventions

If the screening process or record review indicates a concern, the school must take action, including, but not limited to, the following possible pre-referral intervention strategies: vision or hearing acuity screening, social or emotional interventions, academic interventions, such as remediation or programmatic adaptations, referral to a pre-referral intervention team, etc. (Gregson & Chavez, 2018).

If you know a child who you believe may have a disability, please take the following action:

  • If this child is younger than three years old, please check the Arizona Early Intervention Program website or call 888-439-5609 or 602-532-9960.

  • If this child is 3-5 and of preschool age, please call the Preschool Evaluation Team at 602-305-4677

  • If this child is 5 (and in kindergarten) through age 21, please call the child’s school.  

  • The district has a 45-day screening procedure for all new students (not previously screened), which reviews hearing, vision, social, emotional, behavioral, psychomotor skills, academic, communication and adaptive skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsibilities

Screening

References

  1. IDEA ’04, Parts B and C (34 C.F.R. §§ 300 et seq., 34 C.F.R. §§ 303 et seq.)

  2. A.A.C. R7-2-401 (C)(D)

  3. Letter to Smith (OSEP) December 1, 2006

  4. Letter to Chapman (OSEP) August 22, 2007