Private Schools
Information/Procedures for Private Schools Requesting Psycho-educational Evaluations
Step 1: The private school should contact the District Private Schools Office, Brewster Center. The District Private Schools office will contact the parent and if needed will send a Student Entry Form to the parent. Other documentation includes: Birth Certificate, Immunization Records, Record of Recent Health Examination conducted by a Florida physician, and Proof of Residence to the parent. Once completed, the parent will return the student entry packet to the District Private Schools Office.
Volusia County Schools - Private Schools Office, Brewster Center
200 North Clara Avenue, Deland, FL 32720
(386) 734-7190, ext. 20667
Step 2: Upon receipt of the documents listed in Step 1, the District Private School Office will assign the student an Alpha Identification number.
Step 3: At this time the private school can begin the Problem Solving Team (PST)* process for consideration of a psycho-educational evaluation through VCS. Private schools are held to the same standards as public schools with regard to pre-referral activities and therefore, it is required that the provided interventions are linked to the area of concern and are implemented with integrity. The District Private Schools' office is available and can provide direct assistance with the Problem Solving (PST) process when requested. Assistance includes: determining the area(s) of concern, identifying appropriate evidence based interventions, finding manageable ways of data collections, and completion of the actual PST forms.
Step 4: Upon completion of the referral packet (which could include Volusia County Schools PST forms 1-8, sensory screening consent), the packet is sent to the District Private School Office at Brewster Center (see address above). The private school should keep a copy of the original forms, as well as a log documenting when the packet was sent to the Private School Office. Once the referral packet is received by the District Private School Office, the following activities take place:
A. If the referral is incomplete or inadequate, the District Private School Office will return the packet to the private school and assist the private school, if needed, on referral completion.
B. Upon receipt of the completed referral packet, the District Private Schools Office will send referral for sensory screening, if there is not a recent (within one year) sensory report provided by parent. The screenings can be completed by VCS personnel at the child's zone school.
C. The District Private School Office will obtain consent for formal evaluations, complete the Psycho-education referral packet, and upload all necessary documentation to the School Psychological Services Office for processing and assignment.
D. The District Private School Office will notify the District Placement Specialist at the student's zone school of the referral.
What is the PST (Problem Solving Team)?
The PST in each school building is a vehicle for requesting assistance, through research based interventions and close progress monitoring, for students exhibiting difficulties. Teachers/school personnel, administrators, parents, and/or community agencies may make referrals to the PST. The primary focus of the PST is the development and evaluation of effective interventions, strategies, and alternatives for students who are demonstrating academic and/or behavior problems.
**Referrals for the Gifted program are coordinated through the Volusia County Gifted Programs Office. 386-734-7190, ext. 20071 or 20505.**