IERS houses a special education library, the Montana Early Literacy Project, the Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank and well as numerous research materials (including those created by IERS) specific to childhood trauma, school safety, teacher professional development, and early intervention.
Special Education Library
The Special Education Library, located in McGill Hall 029, is a resource for families to learn more about topics such as: kindergarten transition; inclusion; reducing challenging behavior; positive behavioral supports; pre-literacy skills; social communication skills; school safety; collaboration; individualized education programs; and specific disabilities. The library is operated by the Institute for Educational Research and Service and Co-Teach employees. It is open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Families are encouraged to use the library and to ask Co-Teach staff for assistance, if needed.
The Montana Early Literacy Project (MELP)
The Montana Early Literacy Project (MELP) is a Model that fosters early literacy and language skills in young children with disabilities. The Model builds partnerships between families, schools, and community members with developmentally appropriate language and early literacy services that are individually and culturally sensitive and provides teaching and staff support with the knowledge and assistance necessary to implement these comprehensive services. For the detailed, downloadable MELP manual and information about our traveling literacy modules see the MELP links at the left of this page.
The Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank (SSARB)
IERS and its Montana Safe Schools Center is responsible for the creation of a unique, online school climate and prevention survey entitled the Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank (SSARB). The survey is customizable, and anchored around 32 key factors of school safety. The confidential results may be compared by participating schools to other schools in the district, across Montana or nationally. Results, reported in graphical format are mapped to practical articles, programs, and other materials to help schools address issues of concern. To date, SSARB had been completed by over 65,000 respondents.
Resources for Emergency Management in Schools
The Montana Safe Schools Center houses numerous resources (including MSSC created presentations, articles, guides, and templates) to help address emergency management issues. For more information visit our MSSC Emergency Management for Schools page.