When a student's teacher or parent notices a child is having a difficult time in school, one of the first things they should do is discuss it with each other. The problem may involve reading, writing, math, work completion, or various types of behavior. Often the teacher and parent will come up with the solution to the problem. However, if they would like more help, the teacher and/or parent may wish to meet with the school's Student Assistance Team, also known as Building Assistance Team, Child Assistance Team, Teacher Assistance Team or other variations.

About Student Assistance Teams
The team is made up of a group of school personnel (such as the principal, teacher, counselor, and nurse), as well as some specialists from the Loess Hills Area Education Agency (such as the school psychologist, the social worker, the special education consultant, and the speech/language pathologist). The team may recommend that more school or home interventions be tried in order to solve the problem or they may recommend that an evaluation be done to better determine the nature of the problem.

The parent may choose to be involved in the meeting or ask to be notified of the recommendations. If an evaluation is needed, a referral form requiring parent permission is initiated. Following parent consent, the evaluation is done at school over the next several weeks.

After the evaluation is completed, the Student Assistance Team meets and reviews the evaluation results and makes recommendations. Then, one or more members consult with the parents to explain the evaluation results and team recommendations. The parents have the right to agree or disagree with the team recommendations and add their own ideas.

Parents and teachers use Student Assistance Team to help solve problems students are having and provide any needed services. Parents are considered to be an important part of the process since they know their child the best. School personnel can help parents become aware of services and interventions that are available to them and their children.

For More Information
If you would like more information about the Student Assistance Team at your school, please talk to your student's classroom teacher, the school counselor, or the building principal.