Which statement best describes prereferral interventions?

• A. They are only applied after considering placement in special education.
• B. They involve external agencies to diagnose.
• C. They require parental consent for any action.
• D. Prereferral interventions are used in the general education classroom to attempt to ameliorate the problem prior to special education.

Answer: (D)

Prereferral interventions are supports implemented within the general education setting to address a student’s learning or behavioral difficulties before a formal referral for special education is made. The goal is to improve instruction and outcomes through targeted, data-driven strategies and to see whether the student responds to well-supported general education interventions. This MTSS/RTI-style approach involves ongoing progress monitoring and decision points: if the student shows adequate progress, no special education referral is pursued; if not, the team may move toward formal evaluation.

Examples of prereferral actions include small-group tutoring, differentiated instruction, targeted accommodations or modifications, behavior support plans, and regular progress checks. Because these supports occur in general education, they are designed to be implemented before any determination about special education eligibility, though parents are involved and must consent if a formal evaluation for special education is pursued.