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Before the Special Education Referral
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Before the Special Education Referral
Leading Intervention Teams



October 2008 | 168 pages | Corwin

"A practical approach to the real problems administrators face when dealing with intervention and referral. The writing is clear and concise, providing examples and solutions to real-world situations. This book belongs in every school administrator's professional library."
—Jack Dennis, Principal
Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights, NJ

Develop an efficient prereferral intervention process that truly benefits students!

Prereferral intervention teams can dramatically improve academic achievement for struggling students by providing focused instructional interventions and support before a referral for special education evaluation is needed. This resource presents school leaders with a step-by-step, four-phase model for developing, leading, and evaluating effective prereferral intervention teams.

The author provides numerous reproducible tools that can be used for facilitating implementation and staff training. Featuring a running example that illustrates the model in action, this book shows how school leaders can:

  • Establish prereferral intervention teams by assessing school needs, determining the composition of the team, defining team roles, and conducting staff training
  • Use prereferral intervention teams to support the Response to Intervention process
  • Enhance the collaborative strengths of a professional learning community

Before the Special Education Referral enables educators to apply the practical steps necessary to greatly improve the quality of prereferral intervention programs.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. An Introduction to Prereferral Intervention Teams
Variations on a Theme

 
Educational Leader's Role

 
Conclusion

 
 
2. The Analysis and Decision-Making Phase
Costs and Benefits

 
Establishing and Analyzing the Task

 
Establishing Authority

 
Conclusion

 
 
3. The Planning and Preparation Phase
Determining Group Composition

 
Designing and Communicating the Task

 
School and District Supports

 
The Team Charter

 
Conclusion

 
 
4. The Start-Up Phase
Team Boundaries

 
Task Redefinition

 
Norms and Roles

 
The Start-Up Meeting

 
The Importance of the Start-Up Meeting

 
Initial Prereferral Intervention Team Training

 
Staff Awareness

 
Staff Training

 
Conclusion

 
 
5. The Assistance Phase
Eliminating Barriers

 
Technology

 
Reflection Activities

 
Assistance With Group Processes

 
Conclusion

 
 
6. Evaluating Prereferral Intervention Teams
Evaluation Tools

 
Data Analysis and Action Planning

 
Conclusion

 
 
7. Connecting Prereferral Intervention Teams and Response to Intervention
The Connection

 
Implementation Decisions

 
Universal Screening Decisions

 
Intervention Tier Decisions

 
Intervention Management Team Training and Staff Awareness

 
The Combined Process

 
Identifying the At-Risk Pool

 
Tier Placement

 
Conclusion

 
Final Thoughts

 
 
Resource A: Putting It All Together: The Implementation Plan
 
Resource B: Implementation Tools
 
References
 
Index

"Clearly and concisely outlines 'good practice procedures' for prereferral teams. The author has put together a very thorough, thoughtful outline from start to finish concerning how to implement these procedures in a true-to-life setting."

Jodie L. Greene, Coordinator of Special Education
Plumsted Township School District, New Egypt, NJ

"A practical approach to the real problems administrators face when dealing with intervention and referral. The writing is clear and concise, providing examples and solutions to real-world situations. This book belongs in every school administrator’s professional library."

Jack Dennis, Principal
Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights, NJ
Key features
  • Provides educational leaders with a sequential, four-phase model designed to result in effective prereferral intervention teams
  • Explains the connection between Response to Intervention (RTI) and prereferral intervention and shows how to use the strengths of both models for more effective results
  • Includes numerous charts, tables, checklists that easily and clearly guide the reader through the implementation process
  • Provides numerous tools for school leaders, including reproducible handouts and an Implementation Plan organized by the school calendar
  • Written in a clear, narrative voice for easy reading and comprehension

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

contact corwin

Please select a format:

ISBN: 9781412966917
CAD$ 41.95
ISBN: 9781412966900
CAD$ 100.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

For instructors

This book is not available as an inspection copy. For more information contact your local sales representative.