SAT Meetings: What Does a Good One Look Like?

SAT Meetings: What Does a Good One Look Like? Dr. Lisa Burton and Dr. Jonathan Lent burton15@marshall.edulentj@marshall.edu Marshall University

The Law and State Policies • WV Code §18-2E-10 State Board policy requires every school to establish a student assistance team that reviews student academic needs that have persisted despite being addressed by instruction and intervention and requires every school to implement, in an equitable manner, programs during and after the instructional day at the appropriate instructional levels that contribute to the success of students; and…

Policy 2510 and Policy 2419 Let’s Review - Handout

Now we know the law BUT what does a SAT actually do? • The Student Assistance Team (SAT) is a school team designed to assist students that may be struggling academically, behaviorally or emotionally at school, which is inhibiting the student in being successful. • The team is a positive, problem-solving intervention process which includes at least 3 persons.

Goals of the SAT • Identify students who are experiencing emotional stress; • Identify students involved with alcohol and drug use; • Identify students who are struggling with academic difficulties; • Identify students who are struggling with relationship or family issues; • Provide appropriate out-of-school referrals or in-school services and interventions for students; and • Identify students that may need to be referred for special education multidisciplinary evaluation. “Focus on those students that need extra attention in order to be successful.”

Key Players on the SAT • An administrator • Current teachers • School Counselor • School Psychologist • Nurse • Parent • Student • Possible outside agencies

Students are most successful where there is a strong spirit of cooperation between home, school and community. It is this shared responsibility that the SAT meets to explore possibilities and strategies that will best meet the educational needs of the students, and support teachers and parents.

Benefits of Successful SATs • Decreased school dropouts • Improved grade point averages • Fewer discipline referrals • Decreased truancy rates and school vandalism

How Does it Work? • A referral is made. It can be by the teacher, the parent, the student or another school staff member. (see sample) • Prior to the first SAT meeting, teachers should implement some classroom modifications. It may be as simple as a seat change, a daily assignment sheet, or an increase in visual teaching aids.

Sometimes a simple change can make a huge difference. • Any modification that has been tried or is currently in place will be discussed at the SAT meeting. • Using this information, the team can suggest further steps to help the student.

What happens at the SAT Meeting? • Everyone meets and student is involved if appropriate. • It takes approximately 20-30 minutes. • A Coordinator for the SAT leads the group through a problem-solving process, which is recorded and results in a written plan of action.

The heart of the problem-solving meeting has five basic components: 1) review and clarify the problem, 2) brainstorm possible interventions, 3) discuss and evaluate interventions, 4) choose intervention(s), and 5) develop an action plan. • The team uses an agreed upon structure to discuss the student strengths, concerns, pertinent history and information related to interventions and outcomes.

For the interventions, a brainstorming activity can be used to generate as many interventions as possible without critiquing them at the moment. (See handout) • The team then evaluates the interventions generated and the team discusses the feasibility of implementation. • The intervention(s) is selected by the team. • The action plan is written and a date for a follow-up meeting is determined in order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention(s) implemented.

The team coordinator summarizes the major points of the meeting and provides any next steps. (see suggested timeline as an example) • After several weeks, the team meets again for the follow-up to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. (see sample form)

Tips for Successful SATs • Provide training for all staff on procedures, requirements and the referral process for multidisciplinary evaluations, alternative education placement, etc. • When new team members are selected or hired, make sure they are trained. • Select a team coordinator that will keep records and data on the SAT meetings and progress. This should be an administrator. • Always look to the SAT as a source of support for all students needing assistance or that may be struggling in some form.

Create a common language that all team members know and use. • Make forms that will be used during all SAT meetings. • Remember that the parent can provide another view of the student, so always try to include the parent whenever possible. • If appropriate, include the student. It is important that the interventions that the SAT generate are doable and acceptable to the student in order for them to be effective. (Most of the time) • Be flexible, honest and direct as different people’s visions emerge and obstacles appear.

Make sure you follow-up and continually assess whether or not the interventions are working. • Select a regular meeting time for all SAT meetings when possible and stick to it. • Establish a system for responding promptly to teacher referrals. • Work out a process for communicating with team members about meetings, interventions, follow-ups etc. • Save time during faculty meetings to discuss the SAT and progress with students.

Present the SAT process at a PTA or PTO meeting to gain their support and understanding of the process. • Create an inventory of resources that can be used during the intervention process. • Keep an open mind during the meetings. • Be nonjudgmental at the meetings. • Make sure faculty understand the importance and need for the SAT.

Questions?????

SAT Meetings: What Does a Good One Look Like?