What is the purpose of the prereferral process in schools?

The purpose of the prereferral process in schools is to assist teachers in developing strategies for struggling students. This process allows educators to identify and address issues that a student may be experiencing before making a formal referral for special education services. By focusing on interventions and support within the general education environment, the prereferral process aims to help students succeed with targeted strategies and accommodations. This proactive approach can lead to more effective teaching methods and supports that can be implemented right away, ultimately benefiting the student's learning experience and reducing the need for special education consideration if appropriate strategies can be put in place.

In contrast, while data collection for state assessments and conducting psychological evaluations are important facets of the educational system, they do not capture the primary intent of the prereferral process. Additionally, the prereferral process is not designed to automatically refer students for special education services; rather, it seeks to provide initial support and gather insights about the student's needs in the regular classroom setting before advancing to that level of intervention.