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How to request a school evaluation.
If your child is struggling to read, you can ask your public school to evaluate them, and the request works best in writing. A written, dated request starts the clock on the school's timeline and creates a record. Here is who to write, what to say, the timeline under US law, and a sample letter you can adapt.
Put the request in writing
Ask by email or letter, not only in a hallway conversation, and keep a copy with the date. A written request is what starts the formal process and the timeline that follows it.
Send it to the right person
Address it to the principal and, if you know who it is, the school or district special-education coordinator. Copying the classroom teacher is fine, but the request should reach someone who can start an evaluation.
Say clearly what you are asking for
Ask for a full evaluation to find out whether your child has a specific learning disability, including dyslexia, and whether they qualify for special-education services or a 504 plan. Naming your concern in plain words is enough; you do not need to use legal language.
Know the timeline
Under IDEA, once you give written consent the school generally has 60 calendar days to complete the evaluation, unless your state sets its own timeline. The school may first ask to meet or seek your consent; the clock on the evaluation itself runs from that consent. If the school declines to evaluate, it must tell you in writing and explain why, which is itself a document you can act on.
Keep copies and follow up
Save your request, the consent form and every reply. If you do not hear back in a week or two, follow up in writing and ask for a date. A calm paper trail is the most useful thing you can carry into any later meeting.
Sample request (email or letter)
Dear [Principal or Special Education Coordinator],
I am the parent of [child's name], in [grade] in [teacher]'s class. I am concerned about [child's name]'s reading, and I am requesting a full evaluation to find out whether they have a specific learning disability, including dyslexia, and whether they are eligible for special-education services or a 504 plan.
Please treat this letter as my written request, and let me know the next steps and the consent form to sign so the evaluation can begin. I understand the school then has a set timeline to complete it. Please send your reply in writing.
Thank you. You can reach me at [phone] or [email].
[Your name], [date]
This is general educational information, not legal, medical or psychological advice, and it is not a diagnosis. Special-education rights come from federal law (IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), but evaluation timelines, dyslexia-specific rules and local procedures vary by state and school district. Check your state department of education, and for your own situation talk with your school and a qualified professional. Authoritative federal sources: IDEA (ed.gov) and the Office for Civil Rights, Section 504 (ed.gov).