STUDENT SUPPORT TEAMS

The Board recognizes that there are some students who are at risk of school failure due to a variety of personal circumstances. “At risk” behaviors/conditions include, but are not limited to: poor or failing grades; depression; absenteeism and truancy; physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse; self-injury; suicidal tendencies; and alcohol/drug use, abuse and dependency.

The Board believes that by identifying “at risk” students and providing appropriate referrals and/or coordination of services, the schools can increase the likelihood of students’ achieving academic success and completing the instructional program.

In an effort to meet the needs of this student population, the Board supports the establishment of Student Support Teams at each school.

The Board envisions Student Support Teams as concerned groups of school personnel who are dedicated to helping students and parents find assistance in dealing with problems that interfere with learning and development of a healthy lifestyle.  Student Support Teams may provide assistance through individual assessment, plan development, referral and coordination of services.

It is the Board’s intent that Student Support Teams emphasize prevention, early intervention, referral and coordination with school and community-based services, remedial support, parent involvement and retention of students in school. Curriculum Based Measurements (CBM) will be used to monitor student progress and identify those children who are at risk of failing.  Children who are a t risk receive responsive interventions in the general education program that attempt to resolve the presenting problems of concern.  General educators are encouraged to confer with specialists and teaching professionals, but general education personnel are responsible for the implementation of the intervention as determined by the student support team.

Assessment or identification of individual students as being “at risk” of school failure does not constitute identification or referral for Instructional Support Services.

The Student Support Teams are made up of individuals employed by the district.  Others may be invited to serve on a case by case basis.  The teams may be configured differently at each building in order to meet the needs of that developmental level.

The School Board may request that the Superintendent periodically report on the work of the Student Support Teams, as appropriate, in order for the Board to monitor the schools’ effectiveness in meeting the needs of ‘at risk” students and retaining them in school.

Replaces:        JFCIAA-Student Support Teams
                        JFCIAA-R Student Support Teams

ADOPTED:     June 10, 2008