Parents are an integral part of the IST process. When a teacher becomes concerned about a child’s academic or behavioral functioning, parental contact and involvement should begin. Initially, parents will be asked to sign permission for the IST process, including observations and screenings. This may involve screening of intelligence, academic achievement, and/or behavior. As part of Step One of the IST process, the parent is invited to share information about the child’s developmental and social history as well as any parental concerns. Throughout the IST process, parents are informed about interventions developed, and parents may be involved in helping implement interventions. A child’s progress towards goals is shared regularly. At the conclusion of IST, parents are informed of all screening results and IST decisions and recommendations.
Commonly Used Acronyms
What You Hear | What IT Means |
(IST) Intervention Support Team | A regular education process designed to address and resolve student problems in learning/and or behavior. Each school has an IST. |
(IEP Team) Individualized Education Program Team | The Team that carries out the services as outlined on the IEP. |
(IEP) Individualized Education Program | A written document of a child’s current level of educational performance and an individualized plan of instruction, specific services to be received, and the staff who will carry out the service. |
(RBI) Research Based Interventions | Interventions developed by the IST that have proven and effective outcomes for students and are matched to the instructional need and level of the student. |
(CBM) Curriculum Based Measurement | A method of monitoring student educational progress through direct assessment of academic skills. |
Progress Monitoring | Frequent use of CBMs to determine if a child is making progress toward a goal due to instructional modifications. |
Psycho-educational Evaluation | Terms used to describe an evaluation completed by a School Psychologist. |
Observation | A method of collecting information about a student by observing in a testing session and/or school environment. |
Intelligence/Psychological Test | A tool used to measure a student’s ability level and problem-solving skills. |
Educational Test | A tool used to measure a student’s current reading, math, and writing skills. |
Section 504 | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that recipients of federal funds provide a free appropriate public education to persons who meet the definition of disabled under Section 504. |
