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Orcutt Union School District

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Referrals

Referrals

Orcutt Union School District (OUSD) has a responsibility to actively and systematically seek out all individuals, from TK to 12th grade, with exceptional needs requiring special education and related services. 

  • If you have concerns about your child’s academic progress, social skills, emotional well-being, behavior, communication, or overall development, you have the right to ask the school for support.

    Parents can make a referral to the school at any time. A referral is simply a request for the school to review your concerns and consider whether your child may need additional supports or an evaluation.

    What you can do:

    • Share your concerns with your child’s teacher, school counselor, administrator, or special education staff
    • Submit a written referral to your child’s school describing what you are noticing and any questions you have
    • Include concerns from home, school, or both
    • You can also call the special education department with your questions (805) 938-8960

    Once a referral is received, the school will:

    • Review the information you provide
    • Discuss next steps with you
    • Determine whether additional supports, interventions, or an evaluation may be appropriate

    You do not need a diagnosis or professional report to make a referral as your concerns are enough to start the process

  • Identification procedures involve systematic methods of utilizing referrals of pupils from a range of stakeholders, including teachers, parents, agencies, appropriate professionals, and other members of the public. These procedures are coordinated with school site systems for referral of pupils with needs that cannot be met through modification of the regular instructional program, including referrals from intervention teams, such as a Student Success Team (SST). 

    “A pupil shall be referred for special educational instruction and services only after the resources of the regular education program have been considered and, where appropriate, utilized.” (EC 56303) 

  • For all referrals: 

    Within 15 calendar days of receipt of request for evaluation, the assessment plan and prior written notice forms are completed and presented to the parent along with Notice of Procedural Safeguards. When the parent signs the assessment plan with consent, the date received by the district is recorded on the assessment plan and the assessment process begins immediately. The assessment must be completed, all reports written, and the IEP meeting conducted within 60 calendar days.