Consulting
Consulting at Open Doors Education helps school systems and families move from intention to implementation. For districts, we assess readiness, align stakeholders, and provide evidence-based recommendations to design inclusive structures, resources, and instructional practices. For families, we clarify options, documentation, and legal considerations while aligning supports and services. Our consulting delivers practical roadmaps that strengthen collaboration, build trust, and produce equitable, lasting student outcomes.
School Systems
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Partners with district leadership teams to design and align MTSS, UDL, IDEA, and SDI frameworks into a coherent system that supports inclusive instruction, coordinated services, and improved student outcomes.
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Supports districts in developing clear structures for screening, intervention, progress monitoring, and decision-making that integrate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports.
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Works with districts to create sustainable staffing models, collaborative service delivery approaches, and co-teaching frameworks that support inclusive classrooms.
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Supports district leaders in building long-term strategic plans that prioritize inclusion, access, and coordinated support systems.
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Conducts comprehensive reviews of evaluation practices, IEP quality, service delivery models, and compliance systems to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
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Analyzes referral patterns, service access, discipline trends, and participation in general education to identify inequities and inform targeted system improvements.
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Helps districts align evaluation, IEP development, progress monitoring, and classroom instruction so supports are implemented effectively and consistently.
Educators
Open Doors Education partners with educators to design and implement inclusive practices that ensure every student has access to meaningful learning opportunities. Through collaborative consulting, we support teachers, instructional coaches, paraprofessionals, and school leaders in strengthening their knowledge of instructional strategies, fostering inclusive classroom environments, and aligning practices with equitable, student-centered outcomes. Our approach is practical and responsive—grounded in real classroom contexts—so educators gain the tools, confidence, and clarity to meet all learners' needs.
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Purpose: Help teachers operationalize plans into real instruction
Services include:
Breaking down IEP goals into daily/weekly instructional targets
Translating 504 accommodations into classroom routines
Aligning SDI with general education curriculum pacing
Creating teacher-friendly “IEP at-a-glance” tools
Accommodation vs. modification decision guidance
Ensuring alignment with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 requirements
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Purpose: Make MTSS actionable inside the classroom
Services include:
Designing Tier 1 differentiation strategies that reduce referrals
Building Tier 2 small-group intervention systems within classrooms
Integrating IEP students into MTSS tiers without duplication
Teacher-led progress monitoring (quick probes, exit tickets, fluency checks)
Intervention scheduling within existing instructional blocks
Classroom-based data collection aligned to school MTSS systems
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Purpose: Help teachers design lessons that naturally include IEP/504 students
Services include:
Converting existing lesson plans into UDL-aligned formats
Designing multiple means of:
Engagement
Representation
Expression
Embedding scaffolds without stigmatizing learners
Reducing reliance on pull-out services through stronger Tier 1
Flexible grouping strategies
Designing assessments with multiple access points
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Purpose: Improve the quality and intensity of instruction tied to IEP goals
Services include:
Designing SDI aligned to specific IEP goals
Coaching on explicit instruction (model → guided → independent)
Selecting evidence-based interventions (literacy, math, behavior)
Increasing instructional intensity (time, frequency, grouping)
Embedding SDI within general education settings
Aligning SDI with MTSS Tier 2/3 supports
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Purpose: Ensure supports are actually used correctly and consistently
Services include:
Classroom implementation of accommodations (time, environment, tools)
Modification design for significantly below-grade-level learners
Creating accommodation systems teachers can manage realistically
Avoiding over- or under-accommodation
Aligning accommodations with assessments and grading practices
Monitoring fidelity of implementation
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Purpose: Equip teachers to support behavior within academic instruction
Services include:
Classroom implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
Executive functioning supports (organization, planning, task initiation)
Tier 1 behavior strategies aligned to PBIS
De-escalation and redirection techniques
Embedding SEL into daily instruction
Supporting students with ADHD, autism, and emotional disabilities
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Purpose: Make data usable for teachers (not just compliance)
Services include:
Simple progress monitoring systems tied to IEP goals
Data collection tools teachers can use during instruction
Graphing and interpreting student progress
Adjusting instruction based on data trends
Aligning MTSS data with IEP reporting requirements
Preparing data for IEP meetings and reporting
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Purpose: Improve outcomes in inclusive classrooms
Services include:
Co-teaching model training (station, parallel, team teaching)
Role clarity between general and special educators
Joint lesson planning protocols
Managing group instruction effectively
Reducing “one teach, one assist” dependency
Conflict resolution between co-teachers
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Purpose: Help teachers integrate tools—not just assign them
Services include:
Matching tools to student needs (IEP/504)
Training teachers on practical classroom use
Embedding tech into daily instruction
Supporting reading, writing, communication, and organization
Monitoring effectiveness of tools
Reducing abandonment of assistive tech
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Purpose: Protect teachers and schools legally while improving instruction
Services include:
Documentation practices for accommodations and SDI
Aligning instruction with IEP language
Avoiding common compliance mistakes
Preparing teacher input for IEP/504 meetings
Defensible grading practices for students with disabilities
Reducing teacher paperwork burden through systems
Student Teams
Open Doors Education works alongside teams to build cohesive, effective systems of support for students with diverse learning needs. We help teams problem-solve, strengthen inclusive service delivery models, and improve collaboration across general education, special education, and related services. By focusing on data-informed decision-making, inclusive instructional design, and team alignment, our consulting empowers schools to move beyond fragmented supports toward coordinated, sustainable practices that improve outcomes for all students.
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Purpose: Build a high-functioning, clearly defined student support team
Services include:
SST role definition (admin, SPED, psych, interventionist, Gen Ed, related services)
Meeting structures (problem-solving vs. compliance vs. data review)
Decision-making protocols and authority clarity
Referral pathways (Gen Ed → MTSS → IEP/504)
Alignment of SST with school leadership and PLCs
Case ownership and accountability systems
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Purpose: Ensure the SST drives MTSS decisions effectively
Services include:
Standardized MTSS problem-solving protocols
Tier 2/3 intervention planning frameworks
Decision rules for movement between tiers
Alignment between SST decisions and classroom implementation
Avoiding over-referral to special education
Integration of IEP students into MTSS systems
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Purpose: Improve coordination, consistency, and compliance across the team
Services include:
Case manager role clarity and workflows
IEP and 504 tracking systems (timelines, reviews, reevaluations)
Cross-team communication protocols
Alignment between service providers and classroom teachers
Meeting preparation systems (pre-meet, during, post-meet)
Ensuring compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504
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Purpose: Ensure all providers deliver aligned, non-duplicative instruction
Services include:
Mapping SDI across providers (SPED, SLP, OT, interventionists)
Aligning interventions to IEP goals and MTSS tiers
Eliminating fragmented or conflicting supports
Coordinating schedules and service delivery models
Ensuring intensity and fidelity of interventions
Linking SDI to classroom instruction (UDL-aligned)
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Purpose: Improve accuracy, efficiency, and defensibility of eligibility decisions
Services include:
Standardizing evaluation procedures and documentation
Aligning evaluations to MTSS data (not isolated testing)
Eligibility determination protocols (IDEA categories & 504 criteria)
Reducing over- and under-identification
Reevaluation scheduling and data use
Training teams on defensible decision-making
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Purpose: Strengthen team-based behavior support systems
Services include:
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) protocols
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) design and monitoring
Tier 2/3 behavior systems aligned with PBIS
Crisis response and de-escalation planning
Data collection for behavior tracking
Aligning behavior supports across settings (classroom, specials, etc.)
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Purpose: Make SST decisions data-driven and efficient
Services include:
Unified data systems (MTSS + IEP + behavior)
Dashboard design for SST meetings
Standard data review protocols
Linking progress monitoring to decisions
Identifying students needing escalation or exit
Reducing “data overload” with focused metrics
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Purpose: Shift from siloed services to inclusive systems
Services include:
Designing inclusive service delivery models
Increasing time in general education (LRE optimization)
Push-in vs. pull-out decision frameworks
Co-teaching alignment with SST planning
Scheduling systems that support inclusion
Monitoring inclusion effectiveness
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Purpose: Ensure SST supports Tier 1 instruction, not just interventions
Services include:
Aligning SST recommendations with UDL practices
Reducing need for intensive interventions through strong Tier 1
Coordinating supports across general and special education
Embedding accessibility into curriculum decisions
Supporting teachers with team-driven differentiation strategies
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Purpose: Improve trust, clarity, and outcomes with families
Services include:
Structuring effective IEP/504 meetings
Family communication protocols (before, during, after meetings)
Conflict prevention and resolution strategies
Training SST members on family engagement
Supporting culturally responsive communication
Aligning school and family expectations
Families & Caregivers
Open Doors Education partners with families and caregivers to navigate the complexities of supporting children with diverse and complex needs. We provide guidance on understanding educational systems, advocating effectively, and identifying inclusive opportunities that align with each child’s strengths and goals. Our work centers on building family confidence, strengthening the home–school collaboration, and ensuring families feel informed, supported, and empowered to make decisions that promote their child’s success and well-being.
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We walk through your child’s IEP or 504 Plan with you—clearly and simply.
You’ll gain:
A clear understanding of goals, supports, and services
What accommodations actually look like day-to-day
How your child is supported in the classroom
Confidence in what to expect from school (non-legal guidance aligned to IDEA)
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School systems can feel confusing—we make them understandable.
You’ll learn:
How support levels (tiers) work
How your child’s plan fits into the bigger system
What progress and changes in support mean
What to expect as your child grows
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If your child struggles with organization, focus, or follow-through—we help you build systems that stick.
We work on:
Daily routines (morning, after school, evening)
Homework organization
Time management and planning
Building independence over time
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We help you feel prepared, clear, and confident in everyday communication.
We support you with:
Preparing for school meetings (non-advocacy)
Organizing questions and concerns
Understanding school feedback and reports
Building positive, collaborative relationships
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We help you create simple, effective ways to support learning at home—without turning your home into a classroom.
We focus on:
Reading, math, and executive function support
Homework routines that reduce stress
Reinforcing what your child is learning at school
Helping without over-helping
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Every child learns differently—we help you match support to how your child learns best.
We help you:
Use visual, hands-on, and flexible learning approaches
Keep your child engaged and motivated
Reduce frustration and resistance
Support learning in ways that feel natural
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We help you respond to challenges in ways that are calm, consistent, and effective.
This includes:
Managing frustration, anxiety, or avoidance
Creating calm-down strategies and spaces
Supporting emotional regulation
Aligning with strategies used at school
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We help you make sense of your child’s progress—so you know what’s working.
You’ll learn:
How to read progress reports
What growth should look like over time
How to track progress at home
When to expect changes or adjustments