Student Support Teams (SSTs) are school level committees who meet with parents to address the needs of students who are experiencing academic or behavior problems. The major responsibilities of an SST are the early and accurate identification of student needs and the planning of appropriate intervention strategies to address those needs, if possible, within the regular classroom. SSTs are opportunities for educators who are trained and experienced in using different educational methods to deal with students with various educational problems to aid and support each other in an effort to meet individual student needs.
A referral to SST may be initiated by a teacher, administrator, counselor, or any other person responsible for a student's education or by a parent/guardian or a physician. Parents are always invited to SST meetings and are encouraged to participate in planning educational strategies to help their child. An SST is composed of the person making the referral and at least two other participants. In preparation for the initial meeting, data is gathered concerning the child which may include test scores, report card grades, personal observations, and a review of the child's cumulative records, or other evaluation procedures. This information is discussed and a Strategies Plan is developed to help the student in areas in which he/she is struggling.
The Strategies Plan is implemented for several weeks by those responsible and follow-up meetings are held to determine its effectiveness. If the student is making adequate progress, the SST may decide to discontinue meeting and continue the interventions. If the student is not making adequate progress, the team may decide to to revise or replace the intervention strategies and continue working with the student. If, after a period of time, the student is continuing to struggle, the SST may recommend a Psycho-Educational evaluation for the student. The SST process for a student may be short term or it may remain in place for the student throughout his/her school career.
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110 North ABC Drive
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: 478-457-3366 Fax: 478-457-2921