Schools must
make every effort to resolve students' problems within regular educational
programs. Only when it is not possible to resolve the problem is a student
referred for evaluation to determine if they are eligible for special
education. Problem solving teams, often referred to as student assistance teams
(SAT), are established by schools to assist teachers in coping with learning
and behavior problems. Before being referred for a multidisciplinary
evaluation, the student assistance team must address the student's and/or the
teacher's problem. General education personnel, including teachers, counselors
and/or administrators generally are members of the student assistance team. The
purpose of the team is to utilize problem solving strategies to help teachers
in general education deal with the problem or problems. The student assistance
team must document the intervention strategies implemented to assist the
student. When the student assistance team has employed all appropriate alternatives
without success, they may refer the student for a multidisciplinary evaluation.
When a referral occurs the student assistance team forwards records and
information that they have used to the multidisciplinary team.