My child's teacher mentioned an assessment. What happens now?

Here's where you are

This usually means the school has noticed a pattern in how your child is learning and wants more information to understand it — not that something is wrong. In BC, this often goes through the school's School-Based Team before anything formal happens. It's the beginning of a process, not a verdict.

1. 1

   Ask for a conversation

   Request a short meeting with the teacher to hear specifics: what they've observed, how often, and in which subjects. Ask whether your child has been referred to the school's School-Based Team — that's the group (usually the principal, a learning support teacher, and the classroom teacher) that reviews concerns and decides next steps, including who's assigned as your child's case manager.

2. 2

   Bring a question list to that meeting

   Show the questions

   • What specifically have you noticed, and in which subjects or situations?
   • How long has this been observed?
   • What classroom strategies have already been tried?
   • Has this been referred to the School-Based Team, and what did they decide?
   • Would an assessment be through the school district (free, but often a wait) or private (faster, but paid — ask for a written quote, since pricing varies by clinician)?
   • What can start now, before an assessment is finished?
   • Who will be my child's case manager going forward?
3. 3

   Send a short follow-up email

   Show the template

   Subject: Following up on our meeting about [Child's name] Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on [date] about [Child's name]. To make sure I understand correctly: [one-line summary of what was discussed]. You mentioned [School-Based Team referral / assessment type] — could you confirm the next steps, who will be my child's case manager, and the expected timeline? I'd also like to know what classroom strategies or accommodations, if any, can start in the meantime. Please let me know if I've missed anything. Thank you, [Parent name]

   Copy template

Your free checklist

• I've asked for a meeting with the teacher
• I understand what the school is recommending and why
• I know whether this is a district or private assessment
• I've asked what can start now
• I've sent a follow-up email
• I know who my child's case manager is
• I have a rough timeline for next steps

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