What is Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS)?
The Westfield High School intervention committee is an interdisciplinary group of professional educators created to provide strategies for helping students in need of extra support. Students are referred to the team for various reasons, including: academics, behavior, medical, and/or social issues. The team meets regularly to monitor student progress and develop strategies to help them be more successful at school. Also, the team conducts evaluations for 504 eligibility and makes recommendations to the 504 Coordinators.
How do I refer a student to I&RS?
Any staff member or parent may refer a student to the intervention committee by reaching out to the student's school counselor for more information.
What happens once a student is referred to I&RS?
Once a student is referred, the committee will review the referral and gather data (grades, attendance information, etc.) from the appropriate people involved with the student including the family and the student themselves. The committee will then develop strategies that will assist the student in being more successful at school. The committee will continue to monitor the student’s progress throughout the school year and change strategies as necessary. If several attempts to implement and modify strategies for a student are not effective, the committee may refer the student for evaluation by the Child Study Team.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects the civil and constitutional rights of persons with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits organizations that receive federal funding from discriminating against people solely because they have a disability. The key factor in determining whether a person is considered an individual with a disability is whether a physical or mental impairment significantly impairs one or more major life activities. Major life activities are defined as caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, etc.. Section 504 differs from the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in that it is a civil rights law to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities; IDEA is a statute enforced by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services that applies to special education students.
For a student to be designated as eligible for accommodations under Section 504 in the form of a 504 Accommodation Plan, the student must meet the following criteria: Have a documented disability (or be regarded as having such a disability) that substantially limits a major life activity.
If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.