IST (Instructional Support Team)
 
What is it?

     The Instructional Support Team (IST) is a program whose goals are to maximize individual student success in the regular education classroom,  while at the same time serving as a screening process for students who may be in need of special education services.  IST is a positive, success-oriented program, which uses specific assessment and intervention techniques to help remove educational, behavioral, or affective stumbling blocks for all students.  The program shifts the critical question in education from asking, "What's wrong with the student?" to asking, "What resources can we use to increase the student's chances for success?"  IST answers the question through a team approach that provides for greater cohesiveness, coordination, and instructional continuity, and compliments existing curriculum and instructional programs.  Any elementary student who experiences consistent academic or behavior difficulties may be a candidate for IST.  This includes students beginning to display problems in regular education, as well as those students with disabilities who are included in regular education programs.  The classroom teacher, other educators, or parents can identify students for IST services.

How does it work? 
      The IST process involves 4 steps.  
          1. Identify a student's need for academic or behavioral support
          2. Determine the strategies needed to assist the student
          3. Implement research-based interventions through a continuum of services
          4. Evaluate the strategies after 30 days, based on the goals set for the student

If a positive change is reported, the strategies continue.  If no progress is made, the team may refer the student for a multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE), which may recommend special education services.

Jessica Horvath
Instructional Support Teacher
Ramsey & Morey Elementary