Final answer:
Parents are first involved in the special education referral process before the referral is made (b). They must provide consent and may provide initial concerns, contributing to the assessment and development of an IEP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parents are first involved in the special education referral process before the referral is made, which is option b. Their consent and input are important from the very beginning of the process. Schools are required to work with parents to gather relevant information about the child, and parents may be the ones to initially express concerns regarding their child's learning or development. It's important to have parental involvement early on so that all parties can collaborate on the best course of action for the child's educational needs.
Before any assessment can take place or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, parents must be notified and give their consent. Following the assessment process, if the child is found to be eligible for special education services, an IEP meeting will be scheduled where parents are key participants in developing the education plan.