In-School Referral Process

The following steps are what we follow when attempting to help a student:

1. Student concerns are identified by the teacher and/or the parent. Referral is made to the Student Assistance Team (SAT). Parents are informed of the SAT meeting time and place.
2. SAT meets and suggests interventions and strategies, taking into account the impact of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors, and any disabling conditions.
3. Interventions and strategies are applied/implemented by the classroom teacher and/or others involved.
4. SAT meets again to discuss the student's progress.
   1. If interventions were successful, the student remains in the regular program.
   2. If more interventions are needed, recommendations for these are made and implemented by appropriate personnel (teacher, parents, etc.).
   3. If all interventions have been exhausted, the process is continued.
5. Referral is made to the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). Parents are notified of the time and date of the meeting.
6. MDT meets and discusses the student's progress.
   1. More interventions and modifications may be recommended and results reviewed at a later MDT meeting. If recommendations are successful, the student remains in regular class. If more interventions are needed, process is returned to step 3. If all interventions are exhausted, the student is recommended for a complete diagnostic evaluation. Go to step 7.
   2. The MDT may recommend a student for Diagnostic Evaluation.
7. Formal recommendation is made for Diagnostic testing for specific areas of concern.
8. A referral packet of information is completed by school personnel and parents. This packet may include the student portfolio, observations of the student, checklists, vision/hearing screenings, and a student case history/health history.
9. The packet is submitted to the Educational Diagnostician at Special Services (RRPS Dist. Office) who then meets with the parents for obtaining consent to evaluate and schedule testing dates. (The Diagnostician may refer the student for further testing by an ancillary professional based on observations, requests, or reports of concerns in other areas such as speech, language, motor coordination, etc.)
10. Testing is completed by all professionals and a reports of results are written. The
11. Diagnostician meets with the parents to discuss testing results.
12. Parents are notified of an in-school MDT meeting to discuss the student's evaluation:
    1. If the student is eligible for special education services, an Individualized Education Plan is written to develop the best plan of services to meet the student's educational needs.
    2. If the student is NOT eligible for special services, the process is returned to step 3 for further consideration.

PLEASE contact your local school if you have ANY questions about your son or daughter's referral or if you have any concerns about your child's educational performance.

Also, feel free to contact the Special Services Department at the following number:
896-0667 ext. 141.