SAT

The Student Assistance Team (SAT) is a group of persons who utilize problem solving and intervention strategies to assist teachers in the provision of general education.

• • Keep in mind that "SAT" terminology not required by Rule 51. Most of our districts use the SAT process, but Rule indicates that there needs to be evidence of SAT OR a comparable problem-solving team

  • Documentation needs to be kept regarding the entire process, specifically:

    • Team Members

    • Intervention Strategies Tried

    • Timeframe (evidence of interventions tried prior to referral)

What does the SAT do?

The Student Assistance Team (SAT) is a problem solving team, which attempts to uncover the underlying reasons why a student might be experiencing academic or behavioral difficulties and assembles practical, classroom-friendly interventions to address the student’s problems in the least restrictive manner.

Who can make a SAT referral?

Parents, teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, the student, and/or anyone working directly with a student.

Who will be at the SAT meeting?

The Student (when appropriate), Teachers, Parents, the SAT Coordinator, SAT team members such as the Speech and Language Pathologist, School Psychologist, Principal, or anyone else directly involved with the student.

What data does SAT look at?

Data from school-wide screenings and assessments, such as AIMS Web and MAP, are utilized to decide which children fall within the at-risk range and determine those in need of instructional change.  Progress monitoring is utilized to determine if the interventions set by the SAT are successful.

What does the law say about SAT?

92 NAC 51-006.01C states: 

• 006.01C1 For a school age student, a general education student assistance team or a comparable problem solving team shall be used prior to referral for a multidisciplinary evaluation. 

• 006.01C2 The SAT or comparable problem solving team shall utilize and document problem solving and intervention strategies to assist the teacher in the provision of general education. 

• 006.01C3 If the student assistance team or comparable problem solving team feels that all viable alternatives have been explored, a referral for multidisciplinary evaluation shall be completed. A referral shall include information from the SAT or comparable problem solving team, meeting the requirements of 92 NAC 51-006.01C and a listing of the members of the SAT or comparable problem solving team. 

What are the roles and responsibilities of SAT members?

• SAT Coordinator:

  • Accepts referrals, disseminates referral information to team members, makes follow-up phone calls with parents, assigns a case manager and assists as needed.  Maintains official records of the SAT, sets meeting date and time, facilitates the meeting, sets follow-up meeting dates.

• SAT Case Managers: 

  • Checks with referral teacher, conducts observations, makes follow-up phone calls with parents, assists with interventions, checks on intervention integrity.  This person could be a teacher or a specialist such as a Speech and Language Pathologist, School Psychologist, Special Education Teacher etc. 

• SAT Members:

  • Attends/participates in meetings, shares intervention ideas, represents the team within the school and community, and supports team decisions and recommendations.  This person may likely be a Principal or Administrator, Teacher, or Specialist. 

• Referral Teacher: 

  • Brings intervention documentation, completes the Request for Student Assistance Form, pinpoints target areas with team members, follows through with intervention suggestions.

• Parents: 

  • Provide suggestions of interventions and follows through with suggested interventions.

• Child: 

  • Offers insight into what motivates them, share areas of strength and concern, and provides possible adaptations that would help them in the classroom.

What SAT resources are available?

• Case Manager Checklist for SAT Referrals

• Continued SAT Student Form / Example of Completed Continued SAT Student Form 

• Follow-Up SAT Form / Example of Completed Follow-Up SAT Form

• Guidance on Interpreting Reading Assessment Results 

• Initial SAT Meeting Agenda Option

• Initial SAT Meeting Log / Example of Completed Initial SAT Meeting Log

• Intervention Referral / Example of Completed Intervention Referral Form

• Link to NDE's Sample SAT Report & Referral for MDT Form 

• Pre-Referral Teacher Documentation / Example of Pre-Referral Teacher Documentation

• Procedural Checklist

• Referral for SAT Form

• Request for Student Assistance Form

• SAT Parent Input Form

• SAT Parent Letter

• SAT Parent Letter Follow-Up

• SAT Permission for Specialist Participation 

• SAT Referral for a Multidisciplinary Evaluation for Special Education Services Form 

• Teacher Checklist Prior to SAT Referrals

• Time Sampling of Student Behavior / Example of Time Sampling of Student Behavior 

-“If a parent initiates a request for an evaluation must the SAT process be completed prior to getting consent to evaluate or is the SAT process conducted concurrently with the evaluation?”   (Feb. 2012)

-"A child that is four (4) years of age has moved into our district and the parents have requested a special education evaluation.  The child attends a local preschool.  Must the district convene a SAT?"   (Aug. 2012)