-
Intervention and Referral Service (I&RS) is a support structure intended to provide accommodations to students so that they are afforded an equitable opportunity to meet with success commensurate with their peers.
N.J.S.A. 6A; 16-8.1.a states "District boards of education shall establish and implement in each school building in which general education students are served a coordinated system for planning and delivering intervention and referral services designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior, or health difficulties, and to assist staff who have difficulties in addressing students’ learning, behavior, or health needs.”
Recognizing both that all students are individual learners with unique circumstances and needs and that educators are able to provide any student with reasonable accommodations at any time based on unique or ongoing circumstances, I&RS works to support educators and students when additional ideas need to be developed about providing supports.
It is important to recognize that the provision of reasonable accommodations is an alteration of "how" the learning experience is delivered. This is not an alteration of "what" is being taught or the expectations for meeting standards or curriculum goals (modifications).
No one resource should be used in isolation as the creativity and knowledge of our educational team in conjunction with their relationships with students offer the most successful opportunities for support. Nevertheless, the guidance provided by the NJDOE as well as their NJTSS process provides a framework for our I&RS operations and protocols.
Should a parent/guardian have questions about the I&RS process as it pertains you their child, please feel free to contact your school counselor or principal at any time.