Student
Study Teams: A Student Guide
|
| What
is the purpose of the SST? |
|
The
Student Study Team is a group of teachers, administrators, counselors
and support staff who meet to plan strategies to address the needs of
students who are experiencing difficulty. Difficulties can be in the area
of academic achievement, social/emotional adjustment, behavior or physical
health.
|
| Who
is involved in the SST? |
| The
Student Study Team may include all the following: the student, the parent/guardians,
the student's counselor, classroom teachers and a school administrator.
In addition, the team may also include the school psychologist or social
worker, a special education consultant, the school/court liaison officer
and other support staff. |
| Should
I ask for an SST if I am having problems in class? |
|
Not
necessarily. When problems arise, the first person to contact is the teacher.
Often, classroom issues can be resolved simply by communicating directly
with the teacher. If this is unsuccessful, please contact your child's
counselor. If the problems are pervasive across many settings, the counselor
may decide to hold an SST meeting.
|
| What
is the SST process? |
|
Step 1: The
school personnel (teacher, counselor, administrator) or the parent requests
consideration by the Study Study Team. This request should include specific
information regarding the concerns and previously attempted interventions
and accommodations. It should be directed to the student's counselor.
|
| Step
2: The
team collect information relevant to the student's progress. This might
include: report cards, interim reports, tests, homework, attendance and
results of state/district academic assessments. It should also include parent
information regarding the student's academic and health history, parent/teacher
observations and teacher reports. |
| Step
3: The
team establishes a meeting time when all members can participate. |
| Step
4: The
SST meeting is held to summarize concerns, review the information collected,
discuss strategies and develop a plan for addressing the concerns. |
Step
5: The
team will follow-up on the plan to discuss whether it is being successful
or not. If it is unsuccessful a follow-up meeting will be help to discuss
alternatives.
|
| What
happens at an SST? |
|
The
intent of the Student Study Team meeting is to provide a positive, problem
solving process to identify strategies and programs that may help to resolve
student difficulties. The student is included in these meetings and encouraged
to focus both on the student's strengths and weaknesses. Creating the
action plan requires a collaborative effort on the part of the entire
team, as does the follow-up afterwards. A written record of the meeting
is made and distributed to the team members following the meeting in order
to assist in this process.
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| How
will I know if the plan is successful and what do I do if it is not? |
|
Regular
school attendance, satisfactory grades and your child's own attitude toward
school are the best indicators of a plan's success. If this is not happening
and you remain concerned, please talk with your child's counselor or the
individual teacher(s). You may also contact your child's grade level principal.
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