Special+Programs

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= STUDENT STUDY TEAM (SST) = Teachers may at times discuss a child’s progress with colleagues through the Student Study Team. This group is made up of the classroom teacher, Special Education teacher, elementary school psychologist, school social worker, principal and any other teachers who participate in the child’s program. The purpose of the SST is to address the teacher’s concerns for the student (academic, behavioral or emotional), and offer strategies to help the child be more successful. Data is gathered over a short period of time and the team meets again to discuss progress. At that time, the SST process may be closed or the team may determine that additional information is needed (an educational assessment). Parents will be notified by the classroom teacher prior to the first meeting and will be informed throughout the process.

= RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI) = Response to Intervention is a way to deliver academic support services to students in the classroom or in a pull-out format. There are three tiers to RTI which indicate the level of support needed. The diagram below shows the tiers and explains what each level may look like. At our school we use an RTI approach to help children “catch up” to grade level expectations in the least restrictive and most inclusive way first before moving on to greater intervention approaches.



= TITLE I = Title I is a federal grant program that supports remedial services to students in school. Our school is a school-wide Title I school which means that any of our children can qualify for this support, based on academic need. Title I services are offered in reading and math, both in the classroom and in small group, pull-out sessions, with highly-qualified, licensed teachers. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child(ren) receives Title I support.

= SPECIAL EDUCATION = Since 1975, Massachusetts has a had comprehensive law requiring a free and appropriate education for any student, including students with a disability for whom services are needed beyond what the general education program can provide. To implement state and federal law and provide student with an appropriate education, Greenfield Public Schools have qualified evaluators, teachers, and support personnel assigned to each school and program. If a parent suspects a child may have a disability, the parent has the right request a school-sponsored evaluation and to have a response to this request within five school days. The complete guide to special education is available at any school’s administration office. Questions regarding your child’s progress should first be directed to the child’s classroom teacher. Further conversations may include the building principal and the Director of Student Support Services.