Implementing a Consultation-Based Service Delivery System to Decrease Referrals for Special Education: A Case Study of Organizational Considerations

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Abstract
The systems-level activities involved in implementing a consultation-based service delivery system to decrease referrals for special education are described. The approach is intended to facilitate the provision of alternative interventions to students experiencing mild learning and/or behavioral problems in general education classrooms. Through the consultative process, interventions are designed collaboratively with teachers and/or parents, and are implemented systematically prior to consideration of referral for psychoeducational assessment. To implement such an approach on a school-wide level, a number of organizational factors need to be considered. Next, a case example demonstrating implementation of such a system in an elementary school is presented and outcome data are reported. Through application of an organizational framework previously described in the literature, factors facilitating program implementation are discussed.