Child Find Notice
Every child is entitled to a public education regardless of disability. Children with disabilities may go without services because families are not fully aware of their options. If you feel that your child, or a child you know, birth to age 26, may be in need of special education services, please contact the Special Education Department at 616-887-7359 or complete this Child Find Referral Form.
Sparta Area Schools has policies and procedures to ensure that all students with disabilities between the ages of 0 and 26, and those attending private, virtual or home schools, are identified, located, and evaluated, including:
A history of academic concerns
Students who move between districts/schools/states frequently
Concerns with a student’s speech and/or language skills, including their ability to understand language and use language in a way that others are able to understand.
Behavioral and/or social-emotional concerns (Examples: mental health concerns impacting the student in school, increasing discipline referrals)
Suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade.
Evaluations can be initiated by parents or school personnel.
Michigan.gov: MDE Document
Child Find is an affirmative and ongoing duty and is the responsibility of the district. The district has an obligation to initiate, without delay, the Child Find process when the district suspects the student may have a disability and the need for special education.
