What does the Child Find mandate require school districts to do?

The Child Find mandate requires school districts to actively identify, locate, and evaluate children who may have disabilities and are in need of special education services. This responsibility includes formally assessing children who are suspected of having disabilities, ensuring that those who need assistance are identified early and can receive the appropriate services and support. Child Find is a critical component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which emphasizes that all children with disabilities should have access to free appropriate public education. Thus, the requirement for formal assessments directly aligns with the goal of providing necessary interventions and resources to support affected students.