Overview of the Private and Religious Office 

Contact information for the PRO

Overview of the Private and Religious Office (PRO)

The Private and Religious Office (PRO) at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating all parentally-placed private school children ages 3-22 who have a disability or are suspected of having a disability. 

The PRO is here to help you identify any delays or disabilities that your child may have. Children who have been parentally-placed in a private school will be evaluated to determine whether they are eligible for special education and, if eligible, may be offered special education services (i.e. equitable services).  These services are available at no cost to families.

The DCPS PRO serves children who:

• have been parentally-placed in a private elementary or secondary school,
• have been parentally-placed in a private religious elementary or secondary school, or
• are preschool and prekindergarten-aged and who have been parentally-placed in child development centers (child care centers).

The PRO serves DC residents and non-residents who send their children to private schools located in DC. DCPS ensures that a Free an Appropriate Education (FAPE) is available for DC residents who send their child to a private school outside of DC.

Please see the Statement of Services document or the Frequently Asked Questions document to see what services may be available to your child.

The age of the child determines how someone (a parent/guardian or someone else) should refer a child and what forms and documents are required (and what is optional/voluntary).

Starting the PRO Process (Children ages 3 years through 5 years and 10 months)

Step #1 - Refer a Child

The first step to determine if a child in a private school is eligible for special education and may qualify for special education services is to refer a child to Early Stages, the office that handles referrals for all children (parentally-placed children and other children) ages 3 years through 5 years and 10 months for DCPS.

Step #2 – Submit the Required Forms and Documents

After you have submitted a referral for children ages 3 years through 5 years and 10 months, a representative from the Early Stages Center will contact you to let you know what the next steps are and what forms and documents are required. The PRO will contact you to let you know, at a later date, if other forms and documents are required.

Starting the PRO Process (Children ages 5 years and 11 months through 22 years old)

Step #1 - Refer a Child to the PRO

The first step to determine if a child in a private school is eligible for special education and may qualify for special education services is to refer a child to the PRO.

Step #2 – Submit the Required Forms and Documents

The second step is to submit the required forms and documents to the PRO. You may submit these forms at the same time you refer a child. NOTE: The required forms and documents must be submitted again each new school year.

OPTIONAL: Step #3 – Submit Additional Information

This information, which is optional, will be valuable to the team that conducts the eligibility meeting. Below are links to blank forms that, if submitted, could be helpful in making an eligibility determination. Additionally, please send any prior evaluations, including medical, hearing, vision and developmental assessments to the PRO.

PRO INTAKE FORMS TO BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED - OPTIONAL

Parent Interview
Teacher Interview
Speech/Language Summary

Other information

Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs:Questions and Answers On Serving Children With Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools (April 2011)