The reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004 made Response to Intervention (RtI) an acceptable alternative for identifying students with specific learning disabilities (SLD). The purpose of this study was to examine one particular problem-solving approach, Instructional Consultation (IC) teams within an RtI framework, to determine the knowledge, skills, and beliefs of teachers and administrators about this model and its effect in identifying and supporting students with learning disabilities between two elementary schools in one Michigan school district. Interviews were done with a typical case sampling of interviewees from within both buildings. Interviewees were both participants and nonparticipants within the IC model. Each interview was completed at a time convenient for participants. A second, more specific interview was completed with key participants for deeper understanding of initial data analysis. Subfindings included: 1) although interviewees have a good understanding of the IC process, the understanding doesn't preclude them from being resistant to its use; 2) a lack of significant understanding of the process and leadership styles have a major effect on the implementation and engagement of the IC team and staff; 3) factors including teacher professional development, building culture, and instructional practices intertwine in their effect on IC implementation; 4) the role of the IC facilitator and administrator have a large effect on the implementation and engagement of the IC team and staff; and 5) understanding of the IC process and how it is presented to building teams affects staff knowledge of understanding the process for identification of students with SLD. Underlying all subfindings is the key finding of communication, which I will refer to as the "telephone game." In other words, IC communication--and how it travels throughout the school system--affects every subfinding. Identifying key people in the process, such as the facilitator and the administrator, are crucial to the implementation and engagement of a building's IC team. One could use resulting information to create tools, such as rubrics, to monitor IC model understanding and implementation and engagement status of IC teams within a building and district. Further, the rubrics could guide problem solving and decision making for strong implementation of the IC team model.

While there is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of school consultation teams for interventions with difficult or at-risk students, relatively little has been written on the implementation of such teams. This book details that process and describes the important features of the Instructional Consultation Team, including methods and instruments for evaluating student progress and system functioning. Bringing together literature on school consultation and school change, this volume enables the school-based professional who takes the role as change facilitator not only to implement new, more effective services, but also to ensure that the services become established functions of the school system.

Recent changes in policy and law, along with advances in research, are making it necessary for an increasing number of school psychologists, special educators, and teacher consultants to develop skills in areas other than psychoeducational assessment. In response to this need, many professionals and students are expanding their careers to include the field of instructional consultation -- the synthesis of school- based consultation techniques and a solid knowledge of effective instructional practices. This book examines the major themes of instruction and gives a step-by-step outline of the consultation process from referral to the final report. Recent changes in policy and law, along with advances in research, are making it necessary for an increasing number of school psychologists, special educators, and teacher consultants to develop skills in areas other than psychoeducational assessment. In response to this need, many professionals and students are expanding their careers to include the field of instructional consultation -- the synthesis of school- based consultation techniques and a solid knowledge of effective instructional practices. This book examines the major themes of instruction and gives a step-by-step outline of the consultation process from referral to the final report.

While there is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of school consultation teams for interventions with difficult or at-risk students, relatively little has been written on the implementation of such teams. This book details that process and describes the important features of the Instructional Consultation Team, including methods and instruments for evaluating student progress and system functioning. Instructional Consultation Teams functions as a handbook for change. The authors convincingly argue that the improvement of schools' response to at-risk students requires major modifications in the school culture, and to engender that change professionals need special skills. Bringing together literature on school consultation and school change, this volume enables the school-based professional who takes the role as change facilitator not only to implement new, more effective services, but also to ensure that the services become established functions of the school system.

This book explores the ways in which systems (organizational) consultation may be applied to school roles and functions as part of an overall systems change process. Using an implementation science framework grounded in systems/organizational consultation research, the volume details how school reform or improvement may be facilitated. School-based case studies illustrate the application of implementation science to systems change efforts in schools and districts across the United States. Each case study describes the implementation science steps taken to deliver a school-based innovation at the systems level. The book discusses implementation science theory combined with real-world examples of its use in planning for, implementing, and engaging in ongoing evaluation of a systems change effort. Key areas of coverage include: Implementation science in educational settings. Key stakeholder roles in school-based systems change. Implementing and evaluating systems change in schools. Teacher-student mediation to reduce conflict and ensure effective school discipline and behavior practices. District-level processes and supports for English Language Learners. Mental health screening and social-emotional well-being of students. Systems Consultation and Change in Schools is an essential resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as scientist-practitioners, school-based practitioners, and clinicians across such disciplines as school administration and leadership, school and clinical child psychology, social work, public health, teaching and teacher education, educational policy and practice, and all interrelated fields.

Now in its second edition, the Handbook of Research in School Consultation provides the field of school-based consultation with a comprehensive volume examining research perspectives and methodologies, models of practice, and future research directions. Revised and updated, this collection brings together leading experts in the field, offering both producers and consumers of school consultation an invaluable snapshot of the current boundaries and rapidly growing content of the discipline. It touches upon not only the scientific progress of the field, but also upon the variety of cutting-edge techniques and approaches currently being developed with an eye toward a changing world. Perfect for school psychologists, and also appropriate for researchers, trainers, and school-based professionals such as special educators and school counselors, this handbook is an absolute necessity for those keeping pace with the innovating, evolving world of school consultation.