(a) If a child is referred to the local educational agency pursuant to 6 CAR § 130-401, a referral conference must be held for the purpose of:
- (1) Reviewing all existing information related to the child; and
- (2) Determining the actions to be taken.
(b)
(1) The referral conference must be attended by at least three (3) persons, including:
- (A) The principal or a designee; and
- (B) One (1) teacher directly involved in the education of the child.
- (2) The conference may also be attended by the child, if appropriate, and by other individuals at the discretion of the parents or agency.
(c)
- (1) Decisions made at the referral conference must be recorded on the required Referral Conference Decision Form and signed by the principal or a designee.
- (2) The Referral Conference Decision Form shall also include the names of the participants of the conference.
(d) Options for referral conference outcomes include:
- (1) A decision to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the child consistent with the eligibility criteria set out in 6 CAR § 130-601 et seq.;
- (2) A decision to conduct a specialized evaluation of the child consistent with the eligibility criteria set out in 6 CAR § 130-601 et seq.; or
- (3) A decision not to conduct an evaluation of the child.
(e)
- (1) Subsequent to the conclusion of the referral conference, the local educational agency must provide the parent written notice of the decision reached at the referral conference, consistent with 6 CAR § 130-904.
(2) If the parent was not present at the referral conference, notice must be given to the parent within seven (7) calendar days after the referral conference by:
- (A) Registered mail;
- (B) Certified mail; or
- (C) First class mail.
- (f) If the local educational agency has reason to believe that the parent may require assistance in understanding the decision reached at the referral conference, a representative of the local educational agency must contact the parent by telephone or initiate a home visit to explain the decision.