What is a Student Assistance Team (SAT)?

This is a team made up of a student’s school administrator, a current teacher and other appropriate professional staff (such as the school counselor, a social worker or speech pathologist) whose job it is to help a student with issues that are interfering with learning. This may be anything from difficulties in reading or math, emotional challenges, inappropriate behaviors, organization, etc.  The team discusses the problem and works together to find a solution that will help the student.  The team meets as often as needed.  (See Policy 2419 Chapter 2.3.C.) 

The SAT will invite the parent to become part of the team.  The team continues to work together to find solutions.  For many students, the interventions put in place through this process are sufficient to support the student’s learning needs. Thus, not all students who go through the SAT process will be evaluated for special education.  However, if all possible interventions have been exhausted and the student is still not performing well academically, the team might recommend an evaluation to see if there is a disability.  If the evaluation(s) meet(s) the state’s criteria for a disability, an IEP (individualized education plan) is developed and implemented.

How does the SAT differ from an IEP team?

The purpose of the SAT is to find ways to support the learning needs of a student so that special education services are less likely to be needed.  A typical SAT might consist of a SAT chairperson, a school psychologist, a special education teacher, social worker and/or a speech/language therapist with the student's parents. They meet before any special education testing is conducted. 

The IEP Team, which includes the parent, work together to develop a plan for a student who requires special education.  An IEP team discusses what additional services (speech, physical, occupational, etc.) may be needed for the student.  Additionally, the IEP team discusses the student’s progress toward their goals and in their academic classes.  The IEP team is required to meet annually. However, an IEP team could meet more often if any of the team members requests additional meetings. 

What is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports is not a separate program, class or intervention but rather a way of organizing instruction and intervention to help all students. The goal of the multi-tiered framework is to provide high-quality instruction and supports based on student need. This framework also helps educators by providing information (data) to identify students needing additional support (academic and behavioral) and also identify students who may need special education.

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