Navigating Special Education Evaluations in Cincinnati Public Schools: A Parent's Guide

Stepping into the special education evaluation process can feel like wandering through a maze—especially when it’s your child’s future on the line in Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). But you’re not alone. This guide breaks down the journey into clear, manageable steps, so you can confidently advocate for your child’s unique needs.

We’ll cover key programs, explain your rights as a parent, and point you toward local resources designed to support families like yours. Together, we’ll make this path less overwhelming, so you can focus on what matters most: helping your child thrive.

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Think of Child Find as CPS’s way of making sure no child who needs extra support gets missed. It’s a federally required program that identifies and evaluates children from birth through age 21 who might have disabilities affecting their learning. This includes kids who are homeschooled or attend private schools in the district.

Child Find covers a wide range of needs—from learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders to speech or language challenges. Early identification matters because it opens the door to timely help that can make a real difference in your child’s academic and social success.

If you’ve noticed your child struggling or have concerns about their development, don’t wait for the school to reach out. You can start the process by contacting your child's school or the CPS Special Education department. Sharing your observations is a powerful first step.

CPS values your input and will ask for your consent before any formal evaluation begins. Remember, your voice matters here.

After you refer your child, CPS will do an initial screening. This might include looking at school records, teacher notes, and informal assessments to decide if a full evaluation is needed.

If it is, CPS will conduct a thorough assessment tailored to your child’s needs. This can cover thinking skills, academic progress, communication, social-emotional health, and physical development.

Throughout, CPS keeps you in the loop. You’ll give consent before evaluations start and receive detailed reports explaining what they find. If you disagree with the results, you have the right to ask for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at no cost to you. This second opinion can help ensure your child’s needs are fully understood.

Tip: Keep a folder with all reports and notes. Having everything organized makes meetings and follow-ups easier.

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Catching challenges early can change the whole game. When CPS identifies needs sooner, they can create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other support plans that fit your child’s strengths and challenges. This proactive approach helps reduce frustration and builds your child’s confidence.

Think of it like getting the right map before a big hike—it sets you up for a smoother journey.

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Ohio law puts you at the center of your child’s evaluation. CPS must get your informed, written consent before starting any assessments. This means you have the right to know exactly what tests will be done, why they’re needed, and how the results will be used.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request explanations in plain language. Take your time to understand everything before giving consent.

• Share what you see: Your observations about your child’s behavior and learning at home are valuable.
• Attend meetings: Be there for planning and team discussions. Your input shapes the evaluation and the eventual IEP.
• Ask for clarity: If something doesn’t make sense, ask school staff to explain it.

If you disagree with CPS’s evaluation, you can request an IEE—an outside professional’s assessment paid for by CPS. To do this, write to CPS explaining your concerns. They’ll either agree to fund the IEE or start a process to defend their evaluation.

This option ensures your child’s needs are fully and fairly evaluated.

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Clear, organized communication makes a big difference:

1. Keep detailed records: Note dates and summaries of all meetings, calls, and emails.
2. Write down your concerns: Be specific about what you’ve observed and why you think more evaluation might help.
3. Stay respectful and solution-focused: Approach conversations as a partner aiming for the best outcome.
4. Use CPS resources: The Parent Academy and Parent Advocacy Hours offer training and personalized support.

Example phrase: "I’ve noticed that my child struggles with [specific task]. Could we explore this further in the evaluation?"

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This program offers training on advocacy skills and how to support your child’s academic and social-emotional needs. Whether you’re new or experienced, it provides practical tools to help you navigate evaluations and meetings confidently.

You’ll also connect with other parents, building a community that understands your journey.

These virtual sessions let you meet one-on-one with the District Parent Champion. Get personalized answers to your questions, guidance on evaluations, or prep help for meetings.

This support is tailored to your family’s unique needs.

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Navigating special education evaluations can feel overwhelming. But with the right knowledge, support, and tools, you can be a strong advocate for your child.

CPS offers valuable programs to help lighten the load. And if keeping track of all the details feels like a lot, consider exploring NeuroMule. It’s designed to help parents organize information, track communications, and gain insights—so you can focus on what matters most: your child’s growth and success.

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this, and we’re here to help whenever you need a calm, capable buddy on your path.

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• CPS Child Find Program
• Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Information
• Ohio Department of Education: Understanding the Evaluation Process
• CPS Parent Academy
• CPS Parent Advocacy Hours