Can early intervention steer kids away from special education?

Districts increasingly are adopting early-intervention programs meant to help boost the skills of struggling young people with the aim of having them avoid special education in later grades. And while some schools are reporting promising results, some parents and educators are concerned that children who do have learning disabilities will be forced to wait to get the extra help they need under this strategy, especially if it isn't bolstered by sufficient research. The Boston Globe/Associated Press