Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

Team Composition

The Hoke County Schools Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will include the following members:

• Hearing Officer (serves as chair)

• Principal or Student Support Representative of the student’s current school or home school

• MTSS Coordinator

• Parent/Guardian of the student (if more than one parent or guardian is present, they collectively receive one vote)

• Exceptional Children’s (EC) Representative – if the student is identified as EC, this will be the student’s case manager

• MTSS Facilitator – Only if the student is not identified as EC

Purpose

The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) serves two distinct but related purposes within Hoke County Schools

I.  Safety & Legal Review (Felony Charge)

The MDT convenes when a student has been formally charged with a felony offense to:

• Review relevant information regarding the charge

• Assess potential safety risks or disruption to the educational environment

• Determine whether the student’s continued placement on the current campus is appropriate

The focus of this review is school safety, legal compliance, and the integrity of the learning environment.

The MDT will determine whether:

• The student poses a threat to the safety of others, or

• The student’s presence causes a significant disruption to the school environment
  
  

If either condition is met, the team may recommend assignment to an alternative educational setting.

II. Intervention & Due Diligence Review (Pre-Alternative Placement)

The MDT also serves as a structured intervention review prior to referral for an Alternative Learning Placement.

This meeting functions as a due diligence checkpoint to ensure:

• School-based interventions have been implemented with fidelity

• Data supports the need for supplemental or intensive intervention

• The school has exhausted appropriate supports prior to requesting alternative placement

• Consideration has been given to additional strategies that may allow the student to remain in their home school

The purpose of this review is not punitive. It is to ensure that:

• The student has received appropriate supports

• The school has met its responsibility for intervention

• Any decision regarding placement is data-driven and equitable

The MDT may:

• Recommend additional interventions or monitoring

• Develop or refine a behavior contract

• Recommend a modified plan of support

• Determine that alternative placement is appropriate

• Determine that the student should remain at the current school with specified supports

Meeting Procedures

1. School staff should complete the Pre-Referral Checklist 

2. Parent Notification

   • The parent or guardian will receive an invitation to attend the MDT meeting.
     
     

3. Review and Discussion

   • The team will review all relevant information regarding the student’s situation and discuss whether the student’s continued presence on their current campus:

     1. Poses a threat to the safety of others, or

     2. Causes a significant disruption to the educational environment.
        
        

4. Decision and Voting

   • After discussion, each voting member of the MDT will cast one vote. The team may determine that:

     1. The student remains in current placement with identified supports and monitoring

     2. The student remains in current placement with a formal behavior contract

     3. Additional interventions are required prior to any referral

     4. The student is assigned to an alternative educational setting

4. Right to Appeal

   • If the MDT determines that the student should be assigned to an alternative educational setting, the parent or guardian will have the right to appeal the decision through the same process used for other alternative educational setting placements in Hoke County Schools.