Student Advocacy Specialists
Supporting parents with a personalized approach to:
-RtI (Response to Intervention)
-PBIS (Positive Behavioral
Interventions & Supports) & FBA/BIP
-Section 504 Plans
-Special Education services
-Social/emotional skill development
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Problem Identification & Analysis
RtI (Response to Intervention) Services
Intervention Implementation & Evaluation
RtI Referral
Our systematic approach follows a "Best Practices Model" that requires:
-a review of the student's cumulative file for historical data to see if there is an established pattern of
performance
-an interview of the teachers, support staff, and administrators for relevant data to see if the problem can be
operationalized
-an observation of the student in at least 3 different school settings (structured & unstructured) to see if the
problem is discrepent
-a evaluation of the testing results (CBAs, Local, State, & Nationally Normalized Asessments, Standardized
Assessments) to see if there is consistency in performance
Additionally, we may evaluate:
-the instructional style being employed in the classroom setting(s)
-the curriculum being used in the classroom setting(s)
-the environment of the classroom setting(s)
-the learner for strengths and weaknesses
At Student Advocacy Specialists, we utilize a systematic approach to RtI that identifies student strengths and weaknesses, employs evidence-based interventions, frequently collects data to monitor student progress, and evaluates the effectivenes of interventions implemented with the student potentially across three tiers; at the classroom-level by the teacher, at the building-level by the Problem Solving Team, and at the district-level by a Special Education Department evaluation.
We provide a variety of services including:
We have a thorough understanding of the Response to Intervention process and will evaluate:
-the appropriateness of the student's placement in Tiers: 1 (universal), 2 (targeted), or 3 (intensive)
-the fidelity in which the intervention services are being provided:
(defined time, service size, and scientific, research-based instruction utilized)
-the integrity of the tracking process being employed
-the responsiveness of the student to the interventions via progress monitoring
The RtI process is an alternative method to the traditional ability/achievement discrepency comparison for early identification of educational needs and determining appropriate educational services as defined by IDEA 2004. The process begins with Universal Screenings/Benchmarking which is conducted three times a year (fall, winter, & spring). The data should be used by the teacher, the school's Problem Solving Team, and/or the District's Special Education Staff to make timely placement decisions to benefit students.
We have the experience to evaluate the student's RtI data and determine if the process was followed with fidelity and if the student's educational needs are being met.
Student Advocacy Specialists have over 20 years of experience helping students achieve greater academic, behavioral, and social/emotional success in schools. We have both practical experiences as teachers, administrators, and special education personnel and advanced psychoeducational training in Curriculum & Instruction, Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychodynamics, and Child Development.
Our forte is knowing how to integate the latest research and case law (FERPA, IDEA, ADA) with the individual needs of a child.
