ABSTRACT
Stage 1 of the Code of Practice is concerned with identifying and registering a child's special educational needs and taking action to meet those needs within the normal classroom situation. The trigger for this stage is an ‘expression of concern that a child is showing signs of having special educational needs’ (DfE, 1994, p. 23). This can be made by the parents, a teacher or another professional such as a health or social services worker. Evidence has to be produced to substantiate the expression of concern. As far as the school is concerned this should be provided by a range of indicators including such things as a basic concepts checklist (often used in primary and infant schools), National Curriculum attainments and standardised test and screening procedures for aspects of learning such as reading, spelling, mathematical skills and cognitive ability. (A list of major publishers who produce a wide range of testing materials can be found on page 150). It has to be recognised that each school will have its own favoured methods of identifying children who potentially have special needs and that there is no need to radically alter current practices if they are appropriate and reliable.
