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Student Support Teams

The mission of Charles County Public Schools is to provide an opportunity for all school-aged children to receive an academically challenging, quality education that builds character, equips for leadership, and prepares for life, in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.

Student Support Teams (SSTs)

SSTs are school-based committees charged with helping schools provide all students the opportunity to learn and progress in the general curriculum. The SST reviews identified concerns and serves as a vehicle for facilitating positive change and/or generating appropriate referrals to other school teams.

Teachers, parents, staff, and students themselves can request the assistance of the SST.

The team uses a collaborative process to assess the needs of students who are struggling academically and/or behaviorally. The process is data-driven with team members reviewing collected evidence to document the concerns and monitor the effectiveness of subsequent interventions.

It is important that the SST identify positive goal(s) for the referred student. Specific academic and/or behavioral strategies are recommended that the referring staff member agrees to implement. The implementation plan includes a timeframe for monitoring progress and an evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the plan.

For students who present with health, medical or substance abuse issues, the team should consider an immediate referral to the appropriate school staff or agency for support. For information on procedures governing access to these services, contact the school administration and/or the Department of Student Services.

The SST process can address such issues as:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Poor attendance
  • Behavioral social-emotional
  • Health concerns
  • School climate
  • Substance abuse

The SST process is not meant to:

  • Operate as a special education eligibility or placement committee
  • Deny services to students who may actually have a disability
  • Assume that difficulties lie solely with a child or a family
  • Focus solely on individuals