Prereferral A Time to Empower Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families through a Family-Centered Approach

Abstract

Screening and prereferral are not required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; however, many educators recognize that implementation of prereferral interventions is a measure of best practices. The authors address the need to establish a family-centered approach within the prereferral process in order to promote early and preventative, problem-solving, action-oriented implementation. Within the literature, current definitions of the prereferral process focus on educators as the major participants in the process. Families are not specifically included as members of the prereferral team. A familycentered approach is recommended to engage culturally and linguistically diverse populations as stakeholders in their children's education.