STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM A PARTNERSHIP FOR SUCCESS!

Changes to SST: Based on the Responsiveness to Instruction Model Based on the Responsiveness to Instruction Model Utilizes a collaborative problem solving process; Utilizes a collaborative problem solving process; Encourages and promotes Differentiated Instruction Encourages and promotes Differentiated Instruction Relies on data to measure progress Relies on data to measure progress

What is the Goal of SST? “Help Eliminate Barriers to Learning/Achievement” “Help Eliminate Barriers to Learning/Achievement” Equip teachers with strategies to address learning and behavior problems; Equip teachers with strategies to address learning and behavior problems; Reduce inappropriate referrals to Special Education; Reduce inappropriate referrals to Special Education; Improve student achievement; Improve student achievement;

What is RTI? Response to Intervention or Responsiveness to Instruction— a process of implementing high quality, scientifically validated instructional practices based on learner needs, monitoring student progress, and adjusting instruction based on the student’s response. (Bender and Shores, 2007) Response to Intervention or Responsiveness to Instruction— a process of implementing high quality, scientifically validated instructional practices based on learner needs, monitoring student progress, and adjusting instruction based on the student’s response. (Bender and Shores, 2007)

Recommendations and Best Practices for RtI Research-based interventions Research-based interventions On-going progress monitoring On-going progress monitoring Must use measures to assure fidelity (implemented as designed) and integrity (implemented accurately and consistently) Must use measures to assure fidelity (implemented as designed) and integrity (implemented accurately and consistently)

Student Support Teams are Not... The first line of defense when a child is experiencing problems; The first line of defense when a child is experiencing problems; The mechanism for all problems within a school building; The mechanism for all problems within a school building; Used just as a means to Special Education! Used just as a means to Special Education!

The Challenge... A team based approach is critical to implementing a sustainable and efficient system! A team based approach is critical to implementing a sustainable and efficient system! It will take time… It will take time… It will take effort... It will take effort... It will take patience... It will take patience... It will require an organizational structure. It will require an organizational structure.

Student is Experiencing Difficulty in the Classroom Classroom Level: Classroom Level: Classroom teacher tries creative interventions to address problem areas; Classroom teacher tries creative interventions to address problem areas; Interventions should be implemented in ways that their effectiveness can be measured Interventions should be implemented in ways that their effectiveness can be measured

Student is not making Progress… Grade Level: Grade Level: Teacher consults with grade level colleagues for intervention assistance; Teacher consults with grade level colleagues for intervention assistance; Try intervention(s) for a period of time and record data on it’s effectiveness; Try intervention(s) for a period of time and record data on it’s effectiveness; Make sure Parent is aware of Problem! Make sure Parent is aware of Problem!

Student is making slow or minimal progress... School Level Intervention: School Level Intervention: Teacher consults with school level colleagues (Counselors, EC teachers, ESL teachers, Math/Reading Specialists, etc) for intervention assistance; Teacher consults with school level colleagues (Counselors, EC teachers, ESL teachers, Math/Reading Specialists, etc) for intervention assistance; Record data on the effectiveness of strategy; Record data on the effectiveness of strategy;

Student is making slow or minimum progress... System Level Intervention: System Level Intervention: Assistance can be sought from district level staff... Assistance can be sought from district level staff... School Psychologists, Lead Counselors, SSHS staff, Behavior Coach/Intervention Specialist, Literacy Coaches, etc. School Psychologists, Lead Counselors, SSHS staff, Behavior Coach/Intervention Specialist, Literacy Coaches, etc.

Data Collecting Methods Data must be recorded in such a way that a neutral party can interpret the effectiveness. Data must be recorded in such a way that a neutral party can interpret the effectiveness. Behavior charting... Behavior charting... Pre-post measures... Pre-post measures... Classroom participation... Classroom participation... Grading... Grading...

Child is still not making Progress? Refer to Student Support Team! Refer to Student Support Team! Teacher brings all previously tried strategies; Teacher brings all previously tried strategies; Team reviews data, and may offer additional support/strategies to address concerns; Team reviews data, and may offer additional support/strategies to address concerns; Team determines that other data is needed through means of assessment. Team determines that other data is needed through means of assessment.

Student Support Team will Review all previous information Review all previous information Have regular meetings to monitor progress Have regular meetings to monitor progress Keep and record data on strategies Keep and record data on strategies Determine what other key services are needed. Determine what other key services are needed.

The Challenge... A team based approach is critical to implementing a sustainable and efficient system! A team based approach is critical to implementing a sustainable and efficient system! It will take time… It will take time… It will take effort... It will take effort... It will take patience... It will take patience... It will require an organizational structure. It will require an organizational structure.

Examples of Referral Problems The following slides are potential SST Referrals The following slides are potential SST Referrals Please break up into small groups Please break up into small groups Utilize a Problem-solving process to address concerns Utilize a Problem-solving process to address concerns

SST Case Referral # 1 James R. is a 4th grade student. His teachers reported that he is physically aggressive to peers, refuses to follow directions, and he steals from the other children. James is currently failing because he won’t do his class work and he writes mean notes to the girls. He has good reading skills according to his 3 rd grade teachers. He has been served on homebound (ALP) already for bringing a pellet gun to school. James R. is a 4th grade student. His teachers reported that he is physically aggressive to peers, refuses to follow directions, and he steals from the other children. James is currently failing because he won’t do his class work and he writes mean notes to the girls. He has good reading skills according to his 3 rd grade teachers. He has been served on homebound (ALP) already for bringing a pellet gun to school.

SST Case # 2 Teresa S. is a 7 th grader who is rude and disrespectful to her teachers. She is often late to school, and talks excessively in class. She gets angry when corrected and uses foul language. Teresa failed the 4 th grade and is currently at risk for failing the 7 th grade. She is in everybody’s business and likes to instigate fights. Her teachers and her mother are at their wits end with her. Teresa S. is a 7 th grader who is rude and disrespectful to her teachers. She is often late to school, and talks excessively in class. She gets angry when corrected and uses foul language. Teresa failed the 4 th grade and is currently at risk for failing the 7 th grade. She is in everybody’s business and likes to instigate fights. Her teachers and her mother are at their wits end with her.

SST Case # 3 Jamie T. is a 16 year old who just moved to Pender County. He is in the 9 th grade. He has not been in school for the past semester due to involvement with Juvenile Court. Jamie used to be a “B” student according to his mom, but now he is not interested in school. He lacks motivation, makes negative comments in class and will not do classroom or home- work. He sleeps in class and reports that teachers pick on him. Jamie T. is a 16 year old who just moved to Pender County. He is in the 9 th grade. He has not been in school for the past semester due to involvement with Juvenile Court. Jamie used to be a “B” student according to his mom, but now he is not interested in school. He lacks motivation, makes negative comments in class and will not do classroom or home- work. He sleeps in class and reports that teachers pick on him.