In Pennsylvania, elementary-aged students who experience academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and/or communication difficulties may have access to instructional support in regular education. Pre-referral Intervention is not special education nor a direct service. Pre-Referral Intervention is an optional program within school districts.
Purpose
Pre-referral Intervention serves as one mechanism for screening students who may be eligible for special education based on the severity and degree of need. Pre-referral Intervention serves as a bridge between regular education and special education. Parents can also request a special education evaluation.
Goal
To maximize individual student success in the regular classroom.
The Team:
- is composed of:
- the principal or designees,
- the support teacher,
- the student's teacher in all cases, and
- other school personnel as needed.
- provides the following services for teachers:
- consultation,
- technical assistance,
- training to teachers and parents of identified students regarding successful interventions.
After completion of the classroom intervention (no longer than a 60 day period), Pre-referral Intervention:
- analyzes the student's progress; and
- decides either to refer the student for a multidisciplinary evaluation or to continue successful strategies in the classroom.
Pre-referral Intervention activities do not bar the right of a parent to request, at any time, a multi-disciplinary evaluation of the child.
This information is provided by the PARENT EDUCATION NETWORK (PEN); 2107 Industrial Highway; York, PA 17402; 800-522-5827; pen@parentednet.org. It is not intended to provide legal advice PEN is funded as a Parent Training & Information Center by the US Department of Education. No official endorsement of the content is implied. 
