Which groups are included in the Child Find requirements?

• A. All districts must identify students who need services, including private school, homeschooled, homeless, and migrant children.
• B. Only students in public schools are identified.
• C. Identification is optional.
• D. Only students who are already eligible are identified.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that Child Find requires districts to locate and identify every child who may have a disability, not just those attending public schools. This duty travels beyond the classroom doors to reach students in private schools, those being homeschooled, and those who are homeless or migrant, as long as they reside in the district. The goal is to make sure no child with a potential disability is missed and that eligible children can receive evaluation and, if appropriate, services under IDEA. In practice, districts publicize referral processes and collaborate with families and private school representatives to identify and assess these children, even if they are not enrolled in the district’s public schools. This obligation is not optional and is not limited to students already in public schools.