Silvia DeRuvo

Overview

Silvia Lenhof DeRuvo is a national expert in special education focusing on equity for students with individualized education programs (IEPs), English learners, and other marginalized populations. In her 40-year career, she has influenced equitable practices for these students at the school, district, university, state, and national levels. As a Senior Program Associate on the Special Education Policy and Practice team, she provides technical assistance to improve policies and practices resulting in improved outcomes.

Her work with federally funded centers, including the IDEA Data Center (IDC), has resulted in states meeting their special education federal reporting requirements. As an expert in multilingual learners with disabilities, her projects have focused on developing state guidance and equipping leaders and practitioners in providing equitable instruction, intervention, special education evaluation, and IEP processes for students at the intersection of bilingualism and disability. As a multilingual learner herself, DeRuvo’s expertise lies in culturally and linguistically responsive practices for family and student engagement, effective prereferral instruction within an inclusive multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework, and specially designed instruction.

Before joining WestEd in 2005, DeRuvo was an adjunct professor in several teacher training programs, a national speaker on the topics of IEP development and MTSS, and author of several books. As a former special education teacher working primarily with multilingual learners, DeRuvo’s teaching experience reflects her knowledge and experience with marginalized students at the intersection of bilingualism and disability.  

Education

• Special Education Credential, Special Education Specialist, California State University Fresno
• MA in communicative disorders, education of the Deaf, California State University at Fresno
• List item 3General Education Teaching Credential in multiple subjects, California State University at Fresno
• BA in communicative disorders, education of the Deaf, California State University at Fresno

Select Publications

Burho, J., & DeRuvo, S. (2023). Identifying and serving English learners with disabilities guidance manual. Language and Culture Division, State of New Mexico Public Education Department.

Imura, M., & DeRuvo, S. (2023). Differentiated monitoring and support (DMS 2.0): Reference guide for OSEP’s data and SPP/APR protocol. IDEA Data Center.

Burr, E., & DeRuvo, S. (2019). California educators guide to teaching English learners with disabilities. California Department of Education Press.

DeRuvo, S. (2010). The essential guide to RTI An integrated, evidence based approach. Jossey Bass Publishing.

DeRuvo, S. (2009). Teaching adolescents with ADHD: Effective classroom techniques across the content areas. Jossey Bass Publishing.

Lougy, R. A., Rosenthal, D., & DeRuvo, S. (2009). The school counselor’s guide to ADHD: What to know and do to help your students. Corwin Press.

Lougy, R., DeRuvo, S., & Rosenthal, D. (2007). Teaching young children with ADHD: Successful strategies and practical interventions for preK–3. Corwin Press.

DeRuvo, S., & DeRuvo, F. (1999). Report writing: Removing the stress. Adroit Publications.

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

WestEd Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field (National Center for Systemic Improvement team member) (2020)

WestEd Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contributions to the WestEd Community (2016)

WestEd for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community (2008)

California Delegate to the National Research to Practice Summit, Washington, DC (2004)

Recent Media Appearances

• TA Talks – Mark Schudel on Communications Across Departments, IDEA Data Center, May 25, 2018