The Pelham and Windham School Districts seek to locate and identify all children who may have an educational disability.  Any person may refer for evaluation a child under the age of 22 for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

1)    Failing to pass a hearing or vision screening

2)    Unsatisfactory performance on group achievement or accountability measures

3)    Receiving multiple academic or behavioral warnings

4)    Repeatedly failing one or more subjects 

The ‘childfind’ requirements of the districts also apply to highly mobile children, homeless children, home schooled children, and children who are suspected of having an educational disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade. 

Referrals may be initiated in a variety of ways.  The Director of Special Services, SAU #28, may be contacted at 425-1976.  School Administrative Unit #28 Preschool Services (537-9737) may be contacted on behalf of children who have not yet entered first grade.  For school-age children, building principals or classroom teachers may be contacted to initiate a referral for special services.  

Students who attend private schools within the geographical boundaries of the districts may be referred for evaluation by the district in which the school is located.  Students (grades 1 and up) who attend St. Patrick School in Pelham may be referred for evaluation by the Pelham School District regardless of where they reside.  Students (grades 1 and up) who attend private schools outside the geographical boundaries of Pelham or Windham should contact the district in which the private school is located in order to make a referral for evaluation.