Overview of Process and Procedures

The Preschool Intervention & Referral Team (PIRT) is a multidisciplinary school-based committee that guides educators’ planning, delivering, and monitoring of interventions to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavioral and/or health difficulties. PIRT coordinates a system for planning and delivery of interventions designed to address individual students’ needs. The ultimate goal of any intervention plan will be to enable students to develop the problem solving skills necessary to be successful in the general education classroom.

PIRT is comprised of designated specialists including the preschool instructional coach (PIC), preschool intervention specialist/behaviorist (PIRS), and community parent involvement specialist (CPIS)/social worker, along with the classroom teacher. Other members may include school counselor, principal, speech and language specialist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. The PIRS is the coordinator for each case and facilitates the process, along with the PIC and CPIS. The team discusses specific concerns, the implementation of prior interventions or modifications, and ways to further help the student. The team develops an PIRT Action Plan that identifies the problem, determines measurable objectives/goals, outlines strategies to be implemented, identifies additional data to be collected, and sets a future date to review the effectiveness and outcomes of the recommended interventions or modifications. Parent/guardian input is important in the process and encouraged at various points throughout the year.