Instructional support teams are available in the district's elementary schools to help students achieve. IST is a regular education program originally sponsored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that uses specific assessment, consultative, and intervention strategies to help remove educational and behavioral stumbling blocks.
Instructional support teachers have the specific assignment of working with students and their classroom teachers so that all students may achieve high standards. In addition to the instructional support teacher, the IST in each school includes classroom teachers, the guidance counselor, the school principal, and the parents of the student who is experiencing difficulty.
Instructional assessment begins with classroom-based procedures that precisely examine the student's academic skills and classroom behavior. From this information, teaching strategies are developed and implemented in the classroom during the instructional support period. The student's reaction to the plan is a critical part of the assessment.
- IST is data-based. That is, the team defines academic and/or behavioral goals that can be measured.
- IST is collaborative. The team can make a powerful difference because it seeks creativity from all participants.
- IST involves parents as valuable team members. Parents contribute useful information and ideas. Parents assist by following up on suggestions at home.
The IST process is an important first step toward assisting a student to experience success. However, parents may at any time exercise their right to request a multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.
For more information about IST, please contact your child's building principal