--- title: Can I refuse to let the school evaluate my child? description: Can the school evaluate kids for special education without parental consent? Find out whether you can refuse an evaluation for your child. slug: can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child author: Barbara Hubert, MSEd published: '2019-10-16T11:57:17.125Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/6SBLUUOc62D3HCLDLWcRzW/bb0e3be008c3d8d18fee80501b802a6b/G936496670.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child lang: en --- # Can I refuse to let the school evaluate my child? **Q. ****The school sent a letter saying they want to evaluate my child for special education. I’m not sure I want them to do this. Can I refuse to let the school do an evaluation?** **A. **Yes, you can refuse an evaluation. The school district can’t do an initial evaluation without your consent. It’s up to you whether to have your child evaluated for special education. This is an important decision, and a personal one. There are many reasons a family may decide not to do an evaluation. For example, some families have [concerns about getting their child help in school](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/concerns-about-getting-child-help-at-school). Keep in mind that there are a lot of [myths you may hear about special education](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/10-myths-parents-may-hear-about-special-education). One myth is that kids in special education have to be in a separate classroom. In reality, most kids who get special education services are in the same classroom as kids who don’t. That’s the way the law says it should be. If you have questions about evaluations, learn about [evaluation basics](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/learning-about-evaluations). Ultimately, you know what’s best for your family and your child. It’s your choice whether or not to have your child evaluated. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Why your child’s school may deny your evaluation request](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/why-your-childs-school-can-deny-your-evaluation-request) - - The school can deny your evaluation request if theres no evidence your child has a disability. - But the school must evaluate if it suspects or should suspect your child has a disability. - The school must explain in writing why its denying your request. You made a request for a special educa - [Do private schools have to evaluate kids for special education?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/are-private-schools-required-to-evaluate-for-special-education) - Q. My child goes to a private school, but shes been struggling academically and Im concerned she may have a learning or thinking difference. Do private schools have to evaluate children for special education? A. If your child is enrolled in a private school and you suspect she has a learning or thin - [9 steps to take if your request for evaluation is denied](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/9-steps-to-take-if-your-request-for-evaluation-is-denied) - A formal evaluation is one of the first steps in getting kids the school services they need. The general rule is that if a school knows or suspects that a child has a disability, they must evaluate that child.Many learning and thinking differences are covered by the term disability. But sometimes a --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child","description":"Can the school evaluate kids for special education without parental consent? Find out whether you can refuse an evaluation for your child."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child","name":"Can I refuse to let the school evaluate my child?"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-10-16T11:57:17.125Z","description":"Can the school evaluate kids for special education without parental consent? Find out whether you can refuse an evaluation for your child.","headline":"Can I refuse to let the school evaluate my child?","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-i-refuse-to-let-the-school-evaluate-my-child","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```