CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF IDENTIFICATION, PLACEMENT, AND MONITORING OF TIERED INTERVENTIONS IN PITT COUNTY

Abstract

The issue of over identification of students as Specific Learning Disabled is a nationwide problem and Pitt County Schools is no exception. The purpose of this Problem of Practice study was to focus on the implementation and monitoring of a tiered intervention system at the school level. This study looked specifically at improving the strike rate at Pactolus School when referring students for special education testing and identification. At the study school, the strike rate prior to implementation of the system was only 40%; this means that only 40% of the students who were referred for special education actually met the North Carolina criteria for special education identification. As part of this study, the researcher implemented a tiered system of intervention, a uniform process and paperwork, monthly data monitoring, and a teacher resource room with grab-and-go intervention materials. The results of this study indicated that not only was the strike rate dramatically improved as a result of this procedure but the number of special education referrals was reduced and the number of students performing on grade level was also significantly improved.