If a parent presents external testing results suggesting a learning disability, what is the most appropriate response for a school social worker?

• A. Accept and place the student in special education immediately.
• B. Dismiss the parent's concerns.
• C. Review the external report, assess its reliability and validity, and gather additional data before deciding.
• D. Ignore the report and start a different intervention.

Answer: (C)

When external testing results suggest a learning disability, the key is to approach the information with careful scrutiny and collaborative planning. The school social worker should first review the external report for reliability and validity, considering whether the tests are appropriate for the student’s age, language, and cultural background, and whether proper testing conditions were used. Then gather additional data from multiple sources and settings—classroom performance, grades, teacher observations, behavior, social-emotional functioning, attendance, and any prior interventions—to form a well-rounded understanding before making any eligibility decisions or determining supports. This data-informed approach also involves coordinating with the family and school team and ensuring any evaluation follows legal procedures and timelines, including parental consent and a potential multidisciplinary assessment, if warranted. Relying solely on outside results or bypassing data collection risks misidentification and incomplete supports.