Pre-referral intervention : implementing a workshop model to reduce the rate of inappropriate referrals among regular education teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design and implement a workshop series model advocating pre-referral intervention. The emphasis was upon developing a set of procedures that would create more efficient screening practices among teachers thus reducing the rate of inappropriate referrals within a local school district. The model examines existing needs, and provides information to assist classroom teachers in properly screening, identifying and categorizing student learning or behavior problems within the context of the classroom. The workshop series encourages teachers to examine and increase the amount of intervention that occurs prior to a decision to refer a student to special education. It also examines the utility and feasibility of implementing such a workshop series given constraints imposed by system variables and district in-service calendars. The study is an exploratory field study that provides documentation for the process of conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating a workshop series of this nature. It also produces a practical and generalizable framework for use in other school districts in reducing the rate of inappropriate referrals. Results of this study suggest that there is a need for training programs for regular classroom teachers that provide structure and objectivity to the screening and intervention process. Variation and inconsistency in remediation attempts, differing perspectives on the nature of student problems, and loosely defined intervention frameworks appear to contribute to ineffective screening. Factors which inhibit successful establishment of pre-referral practices and variables which impact training attempts are examined. Theoretical as well as practical implications of pre-referral intervention as a model are discussed. Implications for future research and practice are also provided. Additionally, suggestions for implementing the workshop series as designed are provided.