OCEAN GATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) is an interdisciplinary team of professionals within the school environment who come together throughout the school year to formulate coordinated services and team delivery systems to address the full range of student learning, behavior, social, and health problems in the general education program as well as for students determined to be in need of special education programs and services. According to N.J.A.C 6A:16-8.1.,8.2 the goal of the committee is to see measurable student improvement in the identified targeted areas. Staff members refer students to the I&RS Committee through the building principal, who then advises the parents of the referral. The I&RS Committee develops an Action Plan containing goals, interventions, and a timeline for the plan's duration.

The I & RS committee follows a multidisciplinary approach with a 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.

Ocean Gate School
Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Procedures

• What is I&RS?

 I&RS stands for Intervention and Referral Services. To help with many at-risk
behaviors, the NJ Department of Education provided this school program of
Intervention and Referral Services. It is stated that each district is required to
“...establish and implement 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…”
[N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(a)]; and which are designed to: “...assist staff who have
difficulties in addressing students’ learning, behavior, or health difficulties…”
[N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 (a)]

• When might a teacher request an I&RS Review?

Teachers differentiate instruction on a daily basis to meet the needs of their
students. A teacher or other staff members will request an I&RS review when a
child continues to have difficulty despite the interventions they have put in place.
What types of needs does the I&RS review?
When a child is having difficulty in the classroom and it begins to impact their
academic progress or interfere with their learning, the teacher may request
support from the I&RS team. A teacher can refer a student who is having behavior
difficulties, academic difficulties, or health difficulties.

• What does the I&RS process look like?

Step 1: Teacher tries various intervention methods and differentiates instruction
to try and meet the needs of all his/her students.
Step 2: If a student continues to have difficulties despite interventions put in
place, the teacher makes a decision to refer the student to the I&RS team.
Step 3: Teacher contacts parents/guardians and fills out an I&RS referral packet.
Once I&RS receives a packet an information sheet is given to special area teachers
to get their input as well.
Step 4: The coordinator schedules a team meeting with the student’s teacher to
gather background information and understanding of difficulties the student is
having in the classroom. The team also collaborates intervention ideas.
Step 5: The coordinator contacts the parents/guardians to schedule a team meeting
with them. Parent and team collaboration is an important piece of our I&RS
program. It allows us to all be on the same page and create a plan together to
utilize both at home and school.
Step 6: A case manager is assigned to the student. The plan that was discussed
collaboratively as a team is documented and provided to the student’s classroom
teacher, special area teachers, parents/guardians, and anyone else who is working
with the child.
Step 7: After about 8 weeks we hold a follow up meeting to check on progress and
edit the plan as needed. At any point during the 8 weeks teachers or parents can
reach out with developing concerns or needs and the plan can be edited at any time.

• Does the plan follow the student at the beginning of a new school year?

Yes, the plan is given to the student’s new teacher before the school year begins.
The teacher is given the first marking period to familiarize themselves with the
student and the plan. At the end of the first marking period the teacher can make
the decision of whether or not the student still needs I&RS. They have the choice
to re-refer or drop the student from I&RS. Parents/guardians are notified either
way.

• Is this the same as a referral for Special Education?

No, I&RS helps to address the challenges identified and can possibly prevent a
referral to CST by providing resources and interventions the teacher can use in a
general education classroom.

• Can the I&RS team make a referral to the Child Study Team?

Yes, at any point the I&RS team can refer a student to the Child Study Team to be
evaluated for special education services. If the actions, resources, and
interventions are not sufficient the team may suggest a referral to the Child Study
Team. The parents will then participate in the decision as to whether a Child Study
Team evaluation will be done.

Our goal is to work collaboratively with teachers and parents to meet the needs of
all of our students at Ocean Gate School. We want to help our students by
providing tools, strategies, and resources to be successful!
If you have any questions please contact:
Joanne Hickey-Esler, School Social Worker
hickey-esler@oceangateschool.net
732-269-3023

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 ensures that students with medical or other disabilities have equal access to an education. Qualified students may receive accommodations and modifications planned by persons knowledgeable about the students, the meanings of evaluation data, and placement and accommodation options.