Referral Process

Our goal is to problem solve and inform. We are traveling this road with you and want to support as much as possible. ​

​Travelers Together

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​MTSS/MDT/SST -- What??

​SST - Student Success Team (General Ed function)

Similar to a staffing, student teacher's, admin/counselor, parent/student, school psych, special ed teacher or itinerants​

MTSS - Multi Tier Systems of Support (General Ed function)

Teams vary from school to school - most include admin, teachers, and special ed. representation​

MDT - Multi Disciplinary Team​ (Special Ed function)

Psychologist, special education teachers, itinerants, specific gen. ed teachers, parent input​

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Poll

Which of the following statements are true for your building? (You can choose more than one)

• We currently use an SST process to refer to special education.

• Our SST process is our MDT - they are the same thing for us.

• MTSS meetings are our new SST - this is how we refer to special education.

• MTSS is the MDT process for our building.

• We use both MTSS meetings and SST process to refer to Special Education.

Multiple Select

How should a referral be provided to the MDT team?

• The principal can tell the psychologist to start the process.

• This must be in writing, which can be in any form.

• There is a referral form available for families (or others) to complete on the CK website.

• An email from a teacher who states a parent asked them to send it.

Multiple Choice

IDEA provides 60 days for an initial evaluation, start to finish. WA State breaks that up into 25 school days to decide whether to evaluate and 35 school days to complete the evaluation.

If the MDT is part of the SST or MTSS team, would making a referral and accepting it at the same meeting be expected?

• Yes, all the data has been shared, the full team is there.

• Yes, the MDT members are present.

• No, that does not provide the MDT sufficient time to review the data.

• Maybe, it depends on whether they knew it was going to happen.

To review all referrals they receive and answer the question: Do we suspect an educational disability may be present? ​ OR Do we need more information?

​MDT

To problem-solve and implement interventions for a student - Tiers 1-3... (Yes, Tier 3 is not special education - it is more in-depth intervention)​

​SST or MTSS

​Team Purposes (in relation to Referrals)

​Items to consider

​~ Did the concerns exist prior this year or prepandemic?

~ Did the student have access to a school or preschool setting? (Attendance?)

~ Has there been a major transition for the student/family?

~ Is this a language access concern? Consider using the Critical Data Matrix. ​

~ Has MTSS been accessed and recommendations followed?

​~ If in secondary school, what signs of a disability have been present previously?

​WAC 392-172A- 03003

1. ​A parent of a child, a school district, a public agency, or other persons knowledgable about the child may initiate a request for an initial evalaution to determine if the student is eligible for special education. The request will be in writing, unless the person is unable to write.

​WAC Caveat...

​MTSS processes cannot postpone a parent referral; HOWEVER, if upon discussion, if the parent is willing to pause the request to have their child move through the MTSS process, this needs to be documented.

A: It would be a decision to not evaluate and the psychologist needs

to complete the referral paperwork and PWN.

B: ​The MTSS process must ensure that following implementation, the

question is asked of the parent again.

​When a parent mentions a concern, let them know about the form.

​Place referral on website - try to avoid emailed requests

Requests of each building

The goal is to have more detailed information for referrals. ​

​WAC, cont.

2. The school district must document the request for an initial evaluation and:

   A​. Notify the parent that the student has been referred because of a suspected disability and that the district, with parental input, will determine whether or not to evaluate the student.

   (​This should happen upon receipt of the referral.)

​WAC, Section 2, cont.

B. Collect and examine existing school, medical, and other records in possession of the parent and the school district; and

C. Within twenty-five school days after receipt of the request for an initial evaluation, make a determination whether or not to evaluate the student. ​

Open Ended

Discussion Question: As we are having much more robust discussions and data present at the MTSS or STS meetings -

Should the 25 school days still in place and/or required?

Please explain your response.

​

Psychologists are the lead of this team. Their expertise and knowledge of the requirements for a student to qualify for services is paramount in this process. ​

They should never make the decision in isolation. ​

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​MDT - the first step in considering a student for special education needs.

​MDT Process

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​Questions to be answered:

​NOT an exhaustive list...

~ Has there been intervention implemented that targets ​the specific skills with which the student is struggling?

​~ Attendance? Access to Core Instruction?

~ What does the data show? A student who is referred should have a minimum of 4-6 weeks of data supporting lack of growth - which is why we suggest waiting until after October before considering referrals. (Sept- testing/ Oct = interventions start) ​

The MDT will be reviewing as much data as they can gather... this includes previous interventions, parent reports, medical information, screenings may accur for some of the itinerants.

​

This is the ​reason why there is 25 school days. While data is a required and needed, it is a piece of the puzzle.

​History Review

​Next Steps

​If referral is deemed not appropriate at this time:

It is the psychologist's responsibility to ensure a conversation (with parent and team) on what supports are appropriate and complete the paperwork.

​

If referral is accepted:

Consent is sent to family (MDT decides which areas)- the RETURN date starts the 35 day timeline ​

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What will help to make this process clearer and more workable for all buildings, while remaining within legal expectations? ​

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​What needs to happen next?

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​There is a form for referral processes on the Special Services website.

Open Ended

What areas would you like Special Services to focus upon

during IL meetings? Topics of interest?