Instructional Support Team (IST)

By Kelli ReisingerUnit 13 Presentation

Contents

What is Instructional Support Team? Background Information on IST Who are Members of the IST? The Process of IST Law and the IST The Purpose of IDEA IDEA Law and Federal Funding IST and IDEA IST and the Classroom Teacher References

What is Instructional Support Team?

IST is an innovative program whose goals are to maximize individual student success in the regular classroom, while at the same time serving as a screening process for students who may be in need of special education services.

Background Information on IST

In the IST process, the question of, “What is wrong with the student?” shifts to, “What resources can we use to increase the student’s chances for success?”

Any elementary student who experiences consistent academic or behavioral problems may be a candidate for IST.

Students can be identified for IST services by the classroom teacher, other educators, or parents.

Who are Members of the IST?

Team members may differ from district to district, however, the team always includes the building principal, the student’s classroom teacher, and the support teacher.

Parents are encouraged to participate.

Other members could include the school psychologist, guidance counselor, Title I teacher, speech pathologist, school nurse, or representatives from community agencies depending on the needs of the student.

The IST process is based on team work. Collaboration and joint planning occur through the entire process through input and decision-making.

The Process of IST

• The IST process consists of three steps.• The first step is identify the student’s need for academic or behavioral

support.• The second step is to determine the strategies needed to assist the student.• The final step is to implement intervention strategies through a continuum of

services.

• After an initial assessment of the student’s academic, behavioral, or social skills, the IST recommends strategies to be implemented to help the child achieve success in a regular education classroom.

• The strategies are then evaluated for a 30 day time period based on the goals set for the student.

• If the teacher reports a positive change, the strategies are continued. If no positive changes occur, then the student is referred for a multidisciplinary evaluation which may recommend special education services.

Law and the IST

Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was enabled to provide a free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities eligible for special education according to an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Public Law 94-142 was reformed into what we now know as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Purpose of IDEA

• To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living.

• To ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected.

• To assist states, localities, educational service agencies and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities.

IDEA Law and Federal Funding

• Make a free appropriate public education available to all children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school.

• Identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities.• Develop an Individualized Education Program for each child with a disability,

reviewed at least annually.• Educate children with disabilities in the "least restrictive environment" (with

children who are not disabled) to the maximum extent possible.• Ensure that children participating in early-intervention programs experience a

smooth and effective transition into preschool programs.• Provide special education for children enrolled in private schools by their

parents.• Ensure that teachers are adequately prepared and trained.• Ensure that children with disabilities are not suspended or expelled at higher

rates than their non-disabled peers.

IST and IDEA

IST falls under the laws of IDEA in that the IST works together to identify disabilities in students.

When disabilities are identified, the student is given the support he/she needs to get the most of his/her education.

IST and the Classroom Teacher

All members of the IST receive a 3 day minimum training from Training and Technical Assistance Centers (TTAC).

The IST facilitator receives an additional 9 day training, and then he/she trains the rest of his/her team.

Other training and professional development are available as the IST facilitator or team members see necessary.

References

Barry, Wayne (n.d.) Q & A for IST: Instructional Support Team Model. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/school_improvement/academic_reviews/school_support_team/questions_answers.pdf

Center for Educational Networking (last revised 2006) Focus on Results: Guidance and Technical Assistance for Special Education Stake Holders. Retrieved from http://ce6.wilkes.edu:80/webct/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct?appforward=/webct/startFrameSet.dowebct%3Fforward=manageCourse.dowebct%26lcid=472110541001

IDEA Summary (n.d.) Retrieved from http://library.med.utah.edu/tommy/idea/intro.html

The Child Advocate (last revised 2007) Instructional Support. Retrieved from http://www.childadvocate.net/instructional_support.htm