Medical Billing Technologies, a leader in education reimbursement, and SIRAS Systems, the state’s second-largest provider of web-based special education software, have been helping school districts obtain funding, file tedious paperwork, and remain in compliance for years.

Now, MBT has acquired SIRAS, offering the first commercially available, all-in-one system that combines individualized education plan (IEP) management, California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) reporting, and Medi-Cal reimbursement.

“MBT has helped California’s schools and districts recover critical funds while staying compliant with state and federal rules,” said Reid Stephens, co-president of operations for MBT. “By bringing in the SIRAS platform, we’re creating a single, powerful system that supports student services from plan to reimbursement.”

The system eliminates the disconnect between documentation and reimbursement for educators, providing an easy and efficient path from student support to funds.

Additionally, it ensures districts remain in compliance, securing the money long-term.

“It’s one thing to secure it, but if you don’t have the back documentation to back it up, then it all goes away again,” said Kelly Lingenfelter, co-president of operations for MBT.

As school districts across California struggle with declining enrollment and chronic absenteeism, plummeting their funding and forcing budget cuts, this money becomes vital.

“The fact that we can combine forces and have all the hard work that the (schools) are doing in our program easily be rolled over to potential new funding sources is that the synergy between our two system,” said Brain Marcontell, vice president of SIRAS.

The platform offers legally sound IEP goal-writing tools, English-Spanish accessibility features, centralized caseload management, and efficient CALPADS reporting.

Education Platform Built for Educators

The two systems have developed over the years, morphing to fit the needs of educators.

“When your only goal is to provide a solution that is going to be easier for educators and families and then that’s the only thing that you really care about,” Lingenfelter said. “The districts we had in common would constantly tell us that SIRIS listens. They listen to feedback, and they make changes. And that is one of our core values around here, just listening and acting upon that.”

Through listening to feedback from educators, both companies say they have adjusted their systems to ensure easy and efficient use.

It keeps documentation at the site rather than with a particular teacher, ensuring that the student and their family can view the records.

Also, the platform is easy to access — all a district needs is internet hook-up, Lingenfelter said. This leans into their mission to help higher-need, lower-income school districts where resources are often stretched thin.

Rise in Special Education Needs

There has been an increase in students requiring special education services, requiring more resources and funding.

The rise in students in special education is in large part due to improved testing and less stigma surrounding the programs.

In the last decade, the percentage of students in special education in schools has increased from about 13% of students in 2011-12, to almost 15% in 2021-22.

Meanwhile, schools are struggling to fill special education teacher vacancies, leaving other teachers overwhelmed and short on time. Nearly 40% of special educators say that documentation takes up 20% of their time, according to Frontline Education.

“Not only is it helping new staff, but it’s also saving time for existing staff. Also, it’s preventing compliance issues just from simple things,” said Marcontell. “We try to make efficient use of (teacher’s) time. And everybody can log in and see other people’s notes. It’s a team effort.”

SIRAS platform has over 25 years of experience in providing support to special education departments across the state. It is used by more than 190 districts and 16 SELPAs (Special Education Local Plan Area) — including districts in the Central Valley.

Now, the platforms hope to expand to more California school districts, helping educators and students across the state.