Requesting an Individualized Education Program (IEP) evaluation for your child is a crucial step in ensuring they receive the necessary support in school. A well-written IEP request letter formally initiates the process. It demonstrates your concern and outlines the reasons why you believe your child may benefit from specialized instruction and related services. This letter serves as the official starting point for the school to assess your child’s needs and determine eligibility for an IEP.
When crafting your IEP request letter, be clear and concise. State your child’s name, date of birth, and grade level. Specifically mention your concerns regarding your child’s academic, social, or emotional development. Briefly describe the challenges your child faces in the classroom. You can also include any relevant information from doctors, therapists, or previous evaluations. Most importantly, explicitly request an evaluation for IEP eligibility.
Remember to keep a copy of your letter for your records. Send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested, or hand-deliver it to the appropriate school personnel (e.g., principal, special education coordinator) and request a signed acknowledgement of receipt. This provides proof that the school received your request and helps you track the progress of the IEP evaluation process. Follow up with the school within a reasonable timeframe (usually within a week) to confirm they are processing your request.
Understanding the legal timelines is critical. The school district is required to respond to your request within a specific timeframe outlined by federal and state laws. Familiarize yourself with these timelines to ensure the process moves forward appropriately. If you don’t receive a timely response, follow up with the school or district’s special education department.
Sample IEP Request Letters
Here are 20 sample letters. Please tailor the language to fit your specific situation. Remember to replace the bracketed information with your child’s and school’s details.
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[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently in [Grade Level] at [School Name]. I am concerned about [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific Subject/Area of Concern]. [He/She] is struggling with [Specific Examples of Difficulties].
I believe an IEP evaluation is necessary to determine if [Child’s Name] requires special education services and accommodations. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], a [Grade Level] student at [School Name], is eligible for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I have observed that [Child’s Name] has difficulty with [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading comprehension, math skills, social interaction]. This is evidenced by [Provide specific examples, e.g., failing grades in reading, difficulty completing math homework, struggles to interact with peers during recess]. I am concerned that these difficulties are impacting [Child’s Name]’s overall academic performance and well-being.
I kindly request that the school conduct a comprehensive evaluation of [Child’s Name]’s needs and determine whether an IEP would be beneficial in addressing these challenges. I am available to discuss my concerns further and provide any additional information that may be helpful. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request a formal evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], to determine eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). [Child’s Name] is currently in [Grade Level] at [School Name]. I am concerned about [Child’s Name]’s academic progress, specifically in [Subject Area]. [He/She] experiences difficulty with [Specific difficulties, e.g., reading comprehension, completing assignments on time, understanding mathematical concepts]. We have noticed these challenges both at home and based on feedback from [Child’s Name]’s teachers.
I believe an IEP evaluation would help identify any underlying learning disabilities or challenges and provide [Child’s Name] with the necessary support to succeed. I am eager to collaborate with the school to ensure [Child’s Name] receives the appropriate educational resources. Please let me know the next steps in this process and the timeframe for the evaluation. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
This letter is a formal request for an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in [Grade Level] at [School Name], qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I am writing to you because of concerns I have regarding [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading, writing, math, social skills]. Specifically, [Child’s Name] demonstrates difficulty with [Describe the specific challenges you observe, e.g., struggles with phonics, difficulty writing complete sentences, trouble focusing in class, challenges interacting with peers].
I have discussed these concerns with [Mention any teachers or other school staff you’ve already spoken with]. I believe a comprehensive evaluation is needed to assess [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and determine the appropriate support services to help [him/her] succeed. Please contact me to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], a student in [Grade Level] at [School Name], to determine eligibility for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). My concerns stem from [Child’s Name]’s ongoing struggles with [Specific academic or developmental area, e.g., reading fluency, math problem-solving, social communication]. I have observed that [Child’s Name] experiences difficulty with [Specific examples and observations of the challenges, e.g., reads slowly and struggles to decode words, has difficulty applying math concepts to real-world problems, has trouble initiating conversations with peers].
I believe that an IEP evaluation would provide valuable insight into [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and help the school team develop an appropriate educational plan. I am eager to collaborate with the school to ensure that [Child’s Name] receives the support and resources necessary to reach [his/her] full potential. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the next steps in this process.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], a student in [Grade Level] at [School Name], qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I have been closely monitoring [Child’s Name]’s progress and have growing concerns about [his/her] development in the area of [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading comprehension, written expression, mathematics skills, social interaction].
[He/She] exhibits challenges such as [Provide specific examples of difficulties observed, e.g., difficulty understanding complex sentences, struggles with organizing written assignments, difficulty performing basic calculations, challenges initiating conversations and maintaining friendships].I am confident that an IEP evaluation can identify any underlying learning differences or disabilities that may be contributing to these challenges. I am committed to working collaboratively with the school to ensure [Child’s Name] receives the necessary support and accommodations to thrive academically and socially. Please inform me of the next steps involved in this process and the estimated timeline for the evaluation. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently enrolled in [Grade Level] at [School Name]. I am requesting this evaluation because I am concerned about [Child’s Name]’s academic performance in [Specific subject or area of concern, e.g., reading, writing, mathematics]. Specifically, [he/she] is exhibiting difficulties with [Describe specific examples of challenges observed, e.g., struggling to decode words, difficulty organizing thoughts in writing, having trouble grasping mathematical concepts].
I believe an IEP evaluation is essential to determine if [Child’s Name] requires special education services to address these challenges. I am available to discuss my concerns further at your convenience and provide any additional information that may be helpful in the evaluation process. Please inform me of the necessary procedures and timelines involved in initiating the IEP evaluation. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important request.Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], a student in [Grade Level] at [School Name], is eligible for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I have been observing [Child’s Name]’s academic progress and am becoming increasingly concerned about [his/her] performance in [Specific area of concern, such as reading comprehension, written expression, or math skills].
Specifically, I have noticed [Describe specific difficulties observed, e.g., difficulty understanding complex texts, struggles with organizing written assignments, challenges with basic arithmetic]. These difficulties are impacting [Child’s Name]’s overall academic success. I request that the school conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and determine if an IEP is necessary to provide the appropriate support and resources. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the next steps in this process. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently a [Grade Level] student at [School Name], qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). My request is based on my observations of [Child’s Name]’s difficulties in [Specific subject area or skill, e.g., reading, writing, math, social interaction]. [He/She] consistently demonstrates challenges with [Provide specific examples of these difficulties, e.g., struggling to decode words, difficulty organizing thoughts in writing, difficulty understanding mathematical concepts, struggling to interact appropriately with peers].
I believe an IEP evaluation will provide valuable insights into [Child’s Name]’s learning style and specific needs. I am eager to work with the school to develop an appropriate educational plan to support [his/her] success. I would appreciate it if you could inform me of the next steps in the evaluation process. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], to determine eligibility for special education services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP). [Child’s Full Name] is currently a [Grade Level] student at [School Name]. My concerns arise from [his/her] consistent struggles in [Specific area of academic or developmental concern, e.g., reading comprehension, written expression, mathematics, social skills].
Specifically, [Child’s Name] experiences difficulty with [Describe the specific challenges observed, e.g., understanding complex texts, organizing thoughts in writing, grasping mathematical concepts, interacting appropriately with peers]. I have observed these challenges both at home and in [his/her] academic work. I believe a comprehensive IEP evaluation will help identify the specific needs and learning style of [Child’s Name], allowing the school and I to create an effective plan to support [his/her] academic success. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps in the evaluation process.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request a formal evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], a student in [Grade Level] at [School Name], qualifies for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I am concerned about [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific academic area or developmental skill, e.g., reading, writing, mathematics, social skills].
I have observed that [Child’s Name] is experiencing significant challenges with [Describe the specific difficulties observed, e.g., struggling to decode words, having difficulty forming sentences, having trouble understanding mathematical concepts, having trouble interacting appropriately with peers]. These difficulties are impacting [his/her] overall academic performance and potentially [his/her] social-emotional well-being. I believe a comprehensive IEP evaluation is necessary to assess [Child’s Name]’s needs and determine the most appropriate support to help [him/her] succeed. Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently a [Grade Level] student at [School Name], to determine if [he/she] is eligible for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I have growing concerns regarding [Child’s Name]’s academic progress, specifically in the area of [Specify the area of concern, such as reading, writing, mathematics, or social skills].
I have observed that [Child’s Name] experiences difficulty with [Describe specific examples of the challenges observed, e.g., struggles to decode words, has trouble organizing thoughts for writing, struggles to grasp mathematical concepts, has difficulty interacting appropriately with peers]. I believe a comprehensive IEP evaluation will provide valuable insights into [Child’s Name]’s specific learning needs and enable the school to develop an appropriate educational plan to support [his/her] success. I am available to discuss this matter further at your convenience and can provide any additional information necessary for the evaluation. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in [Grade Level] at [School Name], to determine if [he/she] is eligible for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). My concerns stem from [Child’s Name]’s ongoing struggles with [Specific area of difficulty, e.g., reading comprehension, written expression, mathematical skills, or social interaction]. I have observed that [Child’s Name] exhibits difficulties such as [Provide specific examples and observations of these difficulties, e.g., difficulty understanding complex texts, struggles organizing thoughts in writing, challenges with basic arithmetic, difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations with peers]. I believe a comprehensive IEP evaluation would provide valuable insights into [Child’s Name]’s specific learning style and needs. I am eager to collaborate with the school to develop an appropriate educational plan to support [his/her] academic success. Please inform me of the next steps in this process. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently enrolled in [Grade Level] at [School Name], qualifies for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I have been closely monitoring [Child’s Name]’s progress, and I have concerns about [his/her] performance in [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading fluency, writing skills, mathematical concepts, or social-emotional development].
Specifically, I have observed [Child’s Name] struggling with [Describe the specific challenges observed, e.g., difficulty reading aloud fluently, difficulty organizing thoughts in writing, challenges grasping mathematical concepts, or difficulty interacting appropriately with peers]. I am requesting this evaluation to determine if [Child’s Name] has any underlying learning disabilities or other challenges that may require special education services and accommodations. I believe this evaluation will help us better understand [Child’s Name]’s needs and develop an appropriate educational plan to support [his/her] success. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the next steps in this process and the timeframe for the evaluation. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], a [Grade Level] student at [School Name], to determine if [he/she] is eligible for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). My concerns are related to [Child’s Name]’s performance in [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading comprehension, written expression, mathematics, social interaction]. I have observed that [Child’s Name] demonstrates difficulties with [Describe specific examples of the challenges observed, e.g., difficulty understanding complex texts, struggles organizing thoughts in writing, challenges with basic arithmetic, difficulty interacting appropriately with peers]. I believe a comprehensive IEP evaluation would provide valuable insights into [Child’s Name]’s learning style and needs. Please contact me at your convenience to discuss this request further. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to formally request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], currently a [Grade Level] student at [School Name], to determine eligibility for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I am writing to you because of concerns I have regarding [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading, writing, math, social skills]. Specifically, [Child’s Name] demonstrates difficulty with [Describe the specific challenges you observe, e.g., struggles with phonics, difficulty writing complete sentences, trouble focusing in class, challenges interacting with peers]. [He/She] seems to be [explain a brief scenario]. I believe a comprehensive evaluation is needed to assess [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and determine the appropriate support services to help [him/her] succeed. Please contact me to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], a student in [Grade Level] at [School Name], to determine eligibility for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). My concerns stem from [Child’s Name]’s ongoing struggles with [Specific academic or developmental area, e.g., reading fluency, math problem-solving, social communication].
I have observed that [Child’s Name] experiences difficulty with [Specific examples and observations of the challenges, e.g., reads slowly and struggles to decode words, has difficulty applying math concepts to real-world problems, has trouble initiating conversations with peers]. This is also a challenge for [explain brief scenario]. I believe that an IEP evaluation would provide valuable insight into [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and help the school team develop an appropriate educational plan. I am eager to collaborate with the school to ensure that [Child’s Name] receives the support and resources necessary to reach [his/her] full potential. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the next steps in this process.Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
This letter is a formal request for an evaluation to determine if my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in [Grade Level] at [School Name], qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I am writing to you because of concerns I have regarding [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific area of concern, e.g., reading, writing, math, social skills]. Specifically, [Child’s Name] demonstrates difficulty with [Describe the specific challenges you observe, e.g., struggles with phonics, difficulty writing complete sentences, trouble focusing in class, challenges interacting with peers].
Also, the other children [Explain brief senario]. I have discussed these concerns with [Mention any teachers or other school staff you’ve already spoken with]. I believe a comprehensive evaluation is needed to assess [Child’s Name]’s learning needs and determine the appropriate support services to help [him/her] succeed. Please contact me to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address][Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]Subject: Request for IEP Evaluation for [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for
