PIRT/Family Resources

PIRT Team

What is the PIRT Team?

PIRT is a team of specialists that includes Preschool Intervention Referral Specialists, Preschool Instructional Coaches, Early Childhood Teachers, School Social Worker, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other specialists. The team is supervised by the school district's preschool administrator.  Collectively, the team has a strong background in early childhood education, child development, Tools of the Mind Curriculum, and the Pyramid Model.

 

What is the Role of the PIRT Team?

The primary role of PIRT is to provide support and suggest interventions to teachers so that all children can succeed within the general education classroom. In some cases, PIRT will work with the preschool staff to address a specific child's persistent challenging behaviors. Through the development and implementation of an intervention plan and positive behavior support plan (PBS), teachers are given strategies and interventions to address a variety of persistent challenging behaviors in young children (i.e. aggression and lack of socialization). Oftentimes, if these behaviors are left unaddressed, they may prevent successful participation in general education classrooms.

 

How is a Child Referred to PIRT?

If a child is experiencing behavioral difficulties in the classroom that are interfering with learning, the child’s teacher will request the help of the Preschool Intervention Referral Specialist (PIRS). Observations will occur in the classroom to identify the problem and implement strategies that are tailored specifically for the child. The PIRS and the teacher will work together to help the child be more successful in the classroom.  If the difficulties persist after the intervention strategies, the classroom teacher and the PIRS will meet with the PIRT team for additional support. The PIRT Team will work with the parent/family, teacher, and all relevant staff to obtain any additional information. Through regular communication and reporting, the team will monitor and revise interventions (as needed) while the child is enrolled in our preschool program. If the classroom interventions are not successful and it is determined that the child still needs additional support, the child may be referred to the Child Study Team to be evaluated for special services.