The IST Process

What Can Be Expected?

Who can refer a student to the Instructional Support Team (IST)?

 A parent, or any teacher who is part of the student’s educational environment, may refer a student to the IST.

Why is the student being referred to the IST?

The Methacton Instructional Support Team (IST) was developed to assist those students who have been experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties, which impact their ability to learn.  It is through this program that specific instructional strategies are developed and implemented in the regular classroom. These approaches are quantitatively monitored by a Methacton Instructional Intervention Specialist (IIS), so as to determine their level of effectiveness in fostering student success.

The teacher will inform the parent(s) or guardian(s) that he or she has concerns about the student.  Then, the Instructional Intervention Specialist will contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding the student's strengths and concerns.  Academic and behavioral data will be collected by the teachers and other staff who work with the student. They include:

• Counselor                                 

• Reading Specialist

• Math Specialist

• Speech Clinician

• Nurse

• Art Teacher

• Music Teacher

• Health & Physical Education Teacher

• Librarian

• Instructional Intervention Specialist

The Instructional Intervention Specialist (IIS) will observe the student in the classroom, administer reading and math assessments, and conduct a student interview.  The IIS will contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) to obtain input regarding the child.  She will also explain the IIST process and answer any questions you may have.

Time Line for IST Process

     At the Initial Meeting, the team will develop an Action Plan to include:  

• discussion of strengths / concerns

• 30-school-day measurable goal for the student

• brainstorming strategies to support goal

• scheduling a follow-up meeting

There will then be a 30-school-day intervention period in which:

• strategies will be implemented and strategies will be documented

• quantitative data will be reported to Instructional Intervention Specialist

• a Goal Attainment Scale will be completed, reflecting the degree of student success

     At the Follow-Up Meeting the following will presented and discussed:

• Goal Attainment Scale

• strategy outcomes and modifications

• necessity for continued IST interventions

• if IST continues, further action plans will be determined

• if IST is not successful, other options may be discussed