• Intervention and Referral Services

     

    The Waldwick Board of Education has a coordinated system in each school building for the planning and delivery of intervention and referral services that are designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior or health difficulties and to assist staff who have difficulties in addressing student’s learning, behavior or health needs.  Intervention and Referral Services is a formal, coordinated and well-articulated system of supportive activities and services for staff who have identified student difficulties and those who will be involved in the amelioration of the identified educational concerns.  

     

    Intervention & Referral Services Committees are school-based teams that coordinate and deliver intervention and referral services to students. Under the new regulations, however, schools may also provide Intervention & Referral Services for students who have been determined to be in need of special education programs and services.   The regulations make it clear that I&RS activities should be focused on concerns with students, and that the end result of I&RS activities should be student improvement.

     

    What is the difference between I & RS, 504 and IEP services?

     

    504 Plans are provided to students with a medical condition(s) or learning disabilities that require accommodations and/or instructional modifications

      • Accommodations level the playing field
      • Modifications change the field

     

    I & RS Plans go beyond accommodations and modifications.  I & RS plans must incorporate instructional strategies and require ongoing data collection.  Baseline and ongoing data collection are necessary in order to demonstrate whether or not the I&RS plan is working.  Evidence of I & RS intervention implementation is required prior to referral for special education.   

     

    IEP’s must include all of the above plus a need for special education and related services.   Measurable goals and objectives are required in an IEP.  Students that have mastered all of their goals and objectives and are not receiving instruction (support is not instruction) from a special education teacher are no longer eligible for an IEP.