The Student Assistance Team (SAT)

supporting students, teachers and parents

What is a Student Assistance Team (SAT)?

The SAT is a school team, which includes the parent and, when appropriate, the student, in a positive, problem solving, intervention process. It assists students by ensuring that the school and community are doing everything possible to make students school lives successful. Students are most successful when there is a strong spirit of cooperation between home, school, and community. Based on this shared responsibility, the SAT meets to explore possibilities and strategies that will best meet the educational needs of the students, and support teachers and parents. The SAT includes the most important people in the student's life, parents or caregivers, teachers, counselors, specialists, school administrators or designees, and any other school or community members who can provide support.

How does the SAT Process Work?

Students are typically referred by the classroom teacher, but any member of the school staff and/or parent may request support from the SAT for a student whose learning, behavior or emotional needs are not being met under existing circumstances. The classroom teacher(s) would have already notified the parent regarding these issues. Prior to the first SAT meeting, teachers would have implemented some classroom modifications that enhance learning for students. A modification may be as simple as a change in seating location, a daily assignment sheet, or an increase in the use of visual teaching aids. Sometimes a simple change can make a big difference for a student. Any modification that has been tried or is currently in place will be discussed with a parent at the SAT meeting. Using this information, the team can suggest further steps to help the student.

What happens at a SAT Meeting?

1. The student (when appropriate) and parents meet with a group of teachers, wellness staff, and/or administrators. 
2. A facilitator leads the group through a process, which results in a written plan of action.
   The team discusses the student's strengths, concerns, gathers pertinent history and information and discusses present interventions and outcomes.
   The team brainstorms interventions and chooses actions to complete a plan of action for student success.
3. At the end of the meeting, a follow-up date will be scheduled to review progress. You will be invited to meet again with members of the SAT to evaluate changes and growth in your student.

Additional testing through Special Education resources may be recommended. This recommendation comes from the members of the SAT only after modifications and suggestions have not proven to be successful.

Student Assistance Team Forms