The Importance of Intervention before Eligibility

Why Intervention Matters

Eligibility for Special Education can sometimes feel like a very long, drawn out process. The reality is for a student to be eligible for services, the team has to rule out a number of reasons that student is struggling. The team also needs to show that they tried various interventions prior to finding a student eligible. 

Intervention can take many forms. It might involve a reading, writing or math program, tutoring, counseling, or changes to teaching methods.  The team implementing the intervention should be monitoring whether the student continues to struggle, or if they are making progress with the extra support.

If a student is not making progress, or they are still struggling compared to peers after the intervention period,  the team should be looking at other interventions and/or determine whether it is time for a referral to Special Edcuation.  This intervention period is critical because some students are able to catch up with intervention, and finding them eligible (for Special Education) would be erroneous. 

Both educators and parents have a role to play in the intervention process. Teachers and school interventionists should have systems in place to identify and support sturggling students. And parents can and should reach out to the school if they have questions or are concerns about thier child's learning or performance.  Whether intervention support is initiated from a school or home referral, this step is critical to ensure we are not identifying a student for Special Education who may truly not have a disability.