Franklin Academy Instructional Support Team Process – a brief overview

Franklin Academy High School Instructional Support Team
Franklin Academy High School
is committed to the Instructional Support Team (IST) Process as a collaborative team effort to facilitate success for all students.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Instructional Support Team Process is to identify the learning needs of students experiencing school difficulties or who are at risk of failure and to provide them with academic, emotional, and/or behavior support needed to succeed in school.

What is the Instructional Support Process?
Instructional Support is a process to maximize individual student success, while at the same time serving as a screening process for students who may be in need of specialized education services. Instructional Support is a positive, success-oriented program which uses specific assessment and intervention techniques to help remove educational or behavioral stumbling blocks for all students in the regular classroom.  The process consists of a team working together to identify the student’s needs, set goals, and develop an intervention plan to achieve those goals. 

What are some of the functions of the Instructional Support Team?

*         data collection and maintenance of records

*         curriculum-based assessments

*         perform classroom observations

*         conduct interviews with parents, teachers, and students

*         establish meeting schedules

*         identifying concerns and goals

*         monitor the intervention plan

*         coordinate efforts of teachers, parents, and outside agencies

*         model strategies for students, teachers, or parents

*         coordinate referrals for available services

What Are the Benefits of Instructional Support?

*       Identifies students in need of academic, emotional and/or behavioral support.

*       Identifies students at risk of failure through a variety of screening methods and referral procedures.

*       Provides initial and timely assistance to teachers, students, and parents.

*       Uses a team approach that always encourages parent participation.

*       Systematically searches to identify and prioritize problems as well as strategies to assist students.

*       Monitors the progress of the student.

*       Evaluates progress and determines recommendations.

 

 

Summary
 

One main question that will always discussed by the team is, “What resources can we use to increase the success of a student in the regular classroom?”  IST answers this most important question through a team approach that provides for greater cohesiveness, coordination, and instructional continuity while complementing the existing school curriculum and instructional programs at our school. 

                               
The IST process is based on team work.  During the meetings, the team determines which strategies need to be implemented to help the student achieve success in the regular classroom setting.  Collaboration and joint planning occur throughout the entire decision making period.  Each member of the team has equal input in helping to determine what methods, learning strategies, or special techniques best address the student’s needs.

               
The Instructional Support Team process involves a three step approach. 

First, it identifies a student’s need for academic or behavioral support. 

Next, it determines the strategies needed to assist the student. 

Finally, the team implements the intervention strategies through a continuum of services. 

The strategies are evaluated by the team after the first thirty day period. 

If the teacher reports a positive change, then the strategies are continued.  Additional interventions may be added to help the student continue to maintain a proper level of success in the classroom. 

The IST process is a problem-solving model.  At the core of the process is the belief that all students can learn and all students matter.


IST Meeting Dates for 2010-201
1

*       September 29

*       October 20

*       October 27

*       November 17

*       December 8

Meeting Place – Franklin Academy High School Conference Room

Meeting Time - 8:15-11:00

Members of Instructional Support Team

*       Candy Gadway

*       Jerry Griffin

*       Rebecca Fiske

*       Jennifer Massaro

*       Amanda Soulia

*       Lori Tourville

*       Resource Room Teachers (dependent on grade level)

*       Guidance Counselor (dependent on last name)

*       School Psychologist (when available)