STUDENT STUDY TEAM

A Handout for Parents

To Parents
Students are most successful when there is a cooperative effort between you, the parents and
school personnel. In a spirit of shared responsibility, the Student Study Team meets at your
childs school, exploring and problem-solving, in order to help students. You are an important
part of that team.
This handout is intended to help you better understand the way the Student Study Team wors so
that you can become more actively involved in your childs education. Your !uestions, comments
and suggestions are very valuable. "eel free to share them at the meeting of the Student Study
Team.
What Is The Student Study Team?
The Student Study Team #SST$ is a school site team, which reviews individual student strengths
and problem areas. The SST plans strategies and organi%es resources for addressing problems
and concerns. This process is a function of regular education.
How Is A Student Selected To Be Dscussed At The SST?
&sually the classroom teacher #or an administrator or counselor$ indicates that the students
learning, behavioral and'or emotional needs are not being ade!uately met under existing
circumstances.
Wll Anythn! Ha"e Been Done To Hel# My $hld Be%ore The SST?
Yes. &sually the teacher has already made some modifications in the classroom. Then the
principal and teacher meet to review the student and to mae sure appropriate screening tests are
done.
What Are &A##ro#rate Screenn! Tests'?
(valuation of classroom sills by your childs teacher may occur. Your child may also have a
vision and'or hearing screening.
What Does &Pro!ram Mod%catons' Mean?
)easures taen to accommodate to special needs. Some examples of modifications are*
+hange of seating
&se of diagnostic materials
+ross-age tutors
Individual contracts
+hange of group
,uddy system
+hange of class assignment
-earning games
(ye contact
.oteboos for assignment
-earning games
,ehavior modification
/isual aids in giving instructions
How Many Peo#le Wll Be At The SST?
The team will always include parents, the teacher referring the student to the SST, and sufficient
staff to review the students needs. 0articipants on the team may vary depending on the level
#elementary, intermediate, or high school$.
Are There Any (ther Sta%% Who M!ht Be Present?
1ther staff who might be present are* special educator, psychologist, speech and language
specialist, school nurse, counselor, (nglish language learner educator, reading teacher, math
specialist, audiologist, and so on.
All o% Those Peo#le?
.o, but usually five to six people. 1nly those who are necessary to ade!uately review the student
will be there.
What Does The )acltator Do?
The facilitator is the person who leads the meeting and guides the discussion.
What Is The &SST Summary'?
This is a large piece of paper divided into columns on which a recorder uses colored pens to
capture the ey information discussed during the Student Team )eeting. Some of the headings
are*
Strengths
Information
)odifications
2reas of +oncern
3uestions
Strategies #,rainstorm$
2ction
0erson#s$ 4esponsible
This helps the team to organi%e its thining. 2s the different areas are discussed, the information
is written on the paper in the appropriate column #See the 5SST Summary6 sheet$. This sheet
serves as a record of the minutes of the SST meeting, frees participants from taing notes, and
provides a 5picture6 of the student that includes strengths as well as concerns.
Wll I Be As*ed A +ot (% ,uestons?
.o. The SST is an informal meeting where everyone is concerned about your childs progress.
2s the different areas are discussed, you might be ased a few !uestions, but how much you say
is up to you. Your participation during this meeting is encouraged.
What Do I Need To Do Be%ore (r Durn! The Meetn!?
Try to thin of any information that would be helpful to the school. To assist you in preparing for
the meeting we will as you to complete a !uestionnaire and bring it with you to the meeting.
You will notice that we are interested in your perception of your childs strengths as well as
concerns.
What Do You Mean By &Stren!ths'?
5Strengths6 are the positive areas that your child has going for him'her. Some examples of
strengths are*
is a leader
lies school
belongs to +ub Scouts or ,rownies
has a good friend
lies to help )om or 7ad sometimes
is creative
has a hobby
plays with brothers or sisters
is neat
lies sports
is good with animals
How Wll I -emem.er E"erythn! That Is -ecorded (n The &SST Summary'?
The information will be transferred to regular-si%ed paper and you will receive your own copy.
May I -e/uest That $o#es (% The &SST Summary' Be Sent To My $hld0s Doctor1s2 (r
(ther Pro%essonal Personnel?
Yes.
Wll I Be 3"en Ideas To Hel# My $hld At Home?
If it is appropriate, some suggestions might be made at the SST about ways you can help your
child at home.
Wll My $hld -ece"e S#ecal Testn!?
It is possible, if the modifications are not woring, that the SST will recommend additional
testing.
Does Ths Meetn! Mean My $hld Wll -ece"e S#ecal Educaton Hel#?
.o. The primary purpose of the Student Study Team is to come up with strategies and'or
suggestions for modifications in the regular classroom or suggestions of other inds of help for
the student. If this does not wor, and testing shows significant educational gaps, the possibility
of Special (ducation assistance may be considered.
Wll My $hld Be A Part (% The Meetn!?
The student is not usually a part of the meeting at the elementary level. 8owever, intermediate
and secondary students #and upper elementary students, as appropriate$ are expected to
participate in the SST meeting.
Wll There Be (nly (ne Meetn!?
2t the end of the meeting, the team will schedule a follow-up date, if necessary, to evaluate and
share the results of the actions taen.
Who Wll Be In"ol"ed In The )ollow4U# Meetn!?
The follow-up meeting may involve the parent#s$ and one or two members of the team or the
entire team, whatever is more appropriate.
Whom Do I $ontact I% I Ha"e ,uestons Be%ore $omn! To The Meetn!?
+ontact your childs teacher or call the school office, and you will be referred to the appropriate
person.
STUDENT STUDY TEAM SUMMA-Y
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