10 Frequently Asked Questions About SST/MTSS
1. What is MTSS?
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Student Support Team (SST) are terms that should not be used interchangeably. The Muscogee County school district is moving toward using MTSS due to a more comprehensive framework or approach to addressing the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students. Please see video below for more information on MTSS.
2. What is SST?
A group of education professionals who meet to discuss strategies and intensive interventions to help students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional learning, and speech concerns. The SST process is a component of Multi-tiered System of Supports. In Georgia, this process is referred to as Georgia’s Tiered System of Support for Students.
3. Who will attend the meeting?
The team consists of parents, SST chair, teacher, administrator (if needed, or already a part of the team), speech pathologist (if speech is a concern), occupational therapist (if motor skills are a concern), school psychologist, and any other support professional that can provide information on the issues being addressed in the meeting.
4. What should I expect at the meeting?
The teacher will review relevant data that demonstrates an impact of learning concerns on student progress. Copies of student work, and assessments (i.e. Reading Wonders, EnVision math, and STAR Reading), will be explained and discussed. Other information that will be reviewed include student attendance and behavior records. The team will work together to develop a plan that will facilitate improvement in the areas discussed.
5. What should I bring to the meeting?
Any information that will help school professionals better serve the student and would shed insight on the concerns that will be addressed in the meeting. For example, medical records, diagnoses, medication(s), previous psychological exam or records from another school district.
6. What can I do to help my child?
Follow any recommendations made by the team that you can use to support what is being done at school. If resources are shared, use them. Build a partnership with the teacher so that everyone is working towards the same goals. Don't be afraid to ask the teacher questions. Remember to praise your child for any improvements made in the areas of concern. Interventions will continue and reviewed regularly.
7. Will there be other meetings?
Yes. Interventions will be recommended and implemented by the teacher, who will monitor student's progress. A follow-up meeting within 4 weeks will provide insight on whether the interventions worked. Parents will also give an update on any challenges, concerns, or progress they had since the last meeting.
8. What happens if my child does not improve?
At the meeting, the team will recommend an evaluation be considered. Parent agrees or disagrees to an evaluation. If parent agrees to an evaluation, the process of evaluation will be explained using the Parental Rights document (a copy will be given to parent). A Parent Consent for Evaluation form will be developed, explained and parent signs permission. Additional information will be gathered, documents completed, and prepared for the school professional that will do the evaluation.
9. How long does it takes before an evaluation is done?
The SST/MTSS packet is delivered to the school district for the designated school personnel to review and schedule a time for evaluation. It takes up to 60 days for the student to be evaluated.
10. What happens after an evaluation is completed?
At the meeting, the team will decide whether the intervention plan should be modified and/or continued. After sufficient intervention has been provided, the team may recommend an evaluation for the student. The results will be discussed and explained. If the student qualifies for any services, a draft of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be written and a copy given to parent.
Resources:
Georgia's Tiered System of Support for Students. www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Special-Education-Services/Pages/TieredSystemofSupports.aspx
Universal design for learning. www.udlcenter.org
Learn more about PBIS. www.pbis.org
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Student Support Team (SST) are terms that should not be used interchangeably. The Muscogee County school district is moving toward using MTSS due to a more comprehensive framework or approach to addressing the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students. Please see video below for more information on MTSS.
2. What is SST?
A group of education professionals who meet to discuss strategies and intensive interventions to help students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional learning, and speech concerns. The SST process is a component of Multi-tiered System of Supports. In Georgia, this process is referred to as Georgia’s Tiered System of Support for Students.
3. Who will attend the meeting?
The team consists of parents, SST chair, teacher, administrator (if needed, or already a part of the team), speech pathologist (if speech is a concern), occupational therapist (if motor skills are a concern), school psychologist, and any other support professional that can provide information on the issues being addressed in the meeting.
4. What should I expect at the meeting?
The teacher will review relevant data that demonstrates an impact of learning concerns on student progress. Copies of student work, and assessments (i.e. Reading Wonders, EnVision math, and STAR Reading), will be explained and discussed. Other information that will be reviewed include student attendance and behavior records. The team will work together to develop a plan that will facilitate improvement in the areas discussed.
5. What should I bring to the meeting?
Any information that will help school professionals better serve the student and would shed insight on the concerns that will be addressed in the meeting. For example, medical records, diagnoses, medication(s), previous psychological exam or records from another school district.
6. What can I do to help my child?
Follow any recommendations made by the team that you can use to support what is being done at school. If resources are shared, use them. Build a partnership with the teacher so that everyone is working towards the same goals. Don't be afraid to ask the teacher questions. Remember to praise your child for any improvements made in the areas of concern. Interventions will continue and reviewed regularly.
7. Will there be other meetings?
Yes. Interventions will be recommended and implemented by the teacher, who will monitor student's progress. A follow-up meeting within 4 weeks will provide insight on whether the interventions worked. Parents will also give an update on any challenges, concerns, or progress they had since the last meeting.
8. What happens if my child does not improve?
At the meeting, the team will recommend an evaluation be considered. Parent agrees or disagrees to an evaluation. If parent agrees to an evaluation, the process of evaluation will be explained using the Parental Rights document (a copy will be given to parent). A Parent Consent for Evaluation form will be developed, explained and parent signs permission. Additional information will be gathered, documents completed, and prepared for the school professional that will do the evaluation.
9. How long does it takes before an evaluation is done?
The SST/MTSS packet is delivered to the school district for the designated school personnel to review and schedule a time for evaluation. It takes up to 60 days for the student to be evaluated.
10. What happens after an evaluation is completed?
At the meeting, the team will decide whether the intervention plan should be modified and/or continued. After sufficient intervention has been provided, the team may recommend an evaluation for the student. The results will be discussed and explained. If the student qualifies for any services, a draft of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be written and a copy given to parent.
Resources:
Georgia's Tiered System of Support for Students. www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Special-Education-Services/Pages/TieredSystemofSupports.aspx
Universal design for learning. www.udlcenter.org
Learn more about PBIS. www.pbis.org