GENERAL EDUCATION INTERVENTION PROCEDURES

Each public school corporation is required by Article VII to have a written formal system that provides general education intervention (GEI) procedures for students whose classroom performance is adversely affecting educational progress.   The general education intervention process is a key component to the concept of providing education programs and service in the least restrictive environment.   The process is more than just a pre-referral system for special education.   It is a problem-solving activity that is designed to provide appropriate interventions to improve learning difficulties that our students may exhibit.

The procedural steps, outlining the general education intervention process followed in the Anderson Area Special Education Cooperative are listed below (also see the flowchart).

Any individual – teacher, administrator counselor, social worker, or parent – concerned with the educational welfare of a student may refer a student to the general education intervention procedure, termed the Student Assistance Team by Anderson Area Special Education Cooperative.   The person requesting the assistance should first consider the questions posed in the “Criteria to Determine Need for General Education Intervention.”

In the case of parental requests for an educational evaluation, the parents shall be informed of the availability and benefits of the general education intervention process.   Following that discussion they should be given the opportunity to continue with the request for an educational evaluation or to delay that request until the general education intervention process has been completed and its success or lack thereof has been determined.

• The Student Assistance Team intervention documentation should be completed in its entirety and submitted to principal or his designee.
• The principal or his/her designee shall invite the parent, in writing, to be a member of the Student Assistance Team prior to initiation of the general education intervention procedures (please refer to Form 102 – Sample Letter).
• Within twenty (20) instructional days, the Student Assistance Team will do the following:
• Meet with the student’s teacher to review the request.
• Determine whether interventions are appropriate to pursue.   If general education interventions are not appropriate, procedures for identification of students with disabilities shall be followed.
• Design and begin implementation of an intervention.   The intervention shall include specific timelines for implementation in the classroom and the review of the results of the strategies employed.
• The Student Assistance Team will reconvene, as per the timeline delineated in the plan for general education intervention, to review and determine the success of the interventions.   If the interventions have not produced a desirable change in the student’s educational progress, one of the following shall occur:
• The intervention will be redesigned and implemented for another specific period.   The revised plan may include the gathering of additional information through the screening process and consultation with other specialists.
• The parent will be asked to consent to an educational evaluation.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FORMING STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM

Seek membership for the Student Assistance Team…

• Individuals with demonstrated problem solving skills
• Individuals with a positive/creative approach to problem solving
• Individuals recognized as master teachers by their peers
• Individuals known for ability to meet individual student learning needs

Possible Membership

• Administrator
• 2-3 Teachers, School Social Worker (if available)

Format of Student Assistance Team Meetings:

• Schedule 20-30 minutes for conferencing with the student’s parent(s) and teacher(s).
• Request that the teacher(s) complete General Education Information/Referral for Educational Evaluation (form 209).
• Request that the teacher(s) bring to the Team meeting appropriate work samples, cumulative folder, and enrollment information, and other relevant anecdotal information and observations.
• Request that the parent complete a Social/Developmental History (form 202).   Assist the parent if necessary.
• Discuss teacher/parent-identified problem(s) and clarify specific behaviors and what steps may already have been taken to correct the problems.
• Develop a Plan for General education Interventions and Adaptations and Modifications Checklist.
• Establish a timeline for implementation of General education Interventions.
• Schedule meeting for review of General Education Interventions to coincide with the ending date of timeline.

At the second meeting:

• Determine whether interventions have been successful and if not,
• Develop new strategies for intervention, or
• Refer for educational evaluation.

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CRITERIA TO DETERMINE NEED FOR GENERAL EDUCATION INTERVENTION

 

Student ______________________________   DOB _______________   SAT Date______________

The decision as to whether to seek formal assistance from the Student Assistance Team in addressing a particular student’s academic/behavioral problems should be based on the following considerations:

• Is the identified problem serious enough to affect the educational progress of the student and/or his/her classmates?
  
• Have all of the techniques you have utilized to address the student’s learning problems brought less that the desired results?
  
• Have you discussed the problem with the student, if appropriate, and his/her parent(s)?
  
• Have you exhausted all of the interventions that you are aware of to address the problem?
  
• Is the problem of a chronic nature?
  
• Have you familiarized yourself with the student’s school record or background information in order to identify those factors which may have a bearing on the presenting problem?
  
• Have you isolated and defined the problem in order that a specific intervention plan can be designed and implemented?

If you have answered all of the above questions in the affirmative, it is appropriate to request formal assistance from the Student Assistance Team.   These same questions can be considered by Team members as they review the need for general education intervention.