What is I&RS/PIRT?
The importance of a strong partnership between schools and families to educate children is a critical component of a child’s education, particularly in today’s complex and demanding global society. Neither educators nor parents are afforded the time to get to know one another and to establish a mutually supportive relationship on behalf of children. To this end, each school has established one or more I&RS or PIRT Teams.
I&RS or PIRT is a school based problem-solving team for general education students intended as a primary way in which general education teachers or specialists can assist a student who is at-risk within the general education environment.
I&RS or PIRT process is not intended to replace traditional methods or resources for helping students to function effectively in school. Rather, I&RS or PIRT exists primarily to focus on particular concerns using available resources within the general education environment. I&RS or PIRT affords schools a structure to meet the academic, behavioral, health, enrichment, and social-emotional needs of all students
At the Pre-School level, the role of the PIRT Specialist is to coach teachers on social/emotional development using the Pyramid Model for Social and Emotional Competence in Infants & Young Children, help plan interventions and provide professional development. To this end, the role of PIRT is to help teachers modify children’s challenging behaviors (i.e. physical, social, language, emotional) that block successful participation in a general education preschool classroom through development and implementation of action or intervention plans.
Along with the PIRT Specialist, the PreK Master Teacher’s role is to coach classroom teachers on curriculum implementation and best practices, and to facilitate professional development that addresses all areas of our children’s development.
For additional information, you may access the brochure that describes the I&RS and PIRT process and you will find contact information in each of our schools. Intervention and Referral Services brochure.
Dr. Laura Morana, Interim Assistant Superintendent Special Services