Child Study Team

Child Study Team (CST)

Child Study Teams (CST) are composed of a psychologist, a social worker, and a learning disabilities teacher/consultant (LDT/C). This multidisciplinary team ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides comprehensive support to parents and teachers. Their services include conducting evaluations, determining eligibility, and developing and monitoring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Additionally, the CST manages case coordination for all eligible students from preschool through age 21.

What does the School Psychologist do?

The school psychologist specializes in assessing a child's cognitive and conceptual development. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally within the school setting. Additionally, they evaluate the student's emotional well-being and consider how both internal and external factors may influence their behavior and academic performance. 

What does the School Social Worker do?

The social worker specializes in evaluating the student within the context of their family, school, and community. They gather relevant information on the student’s health, family background, and educational history to understand how these factors impact the student’s school performance.  Social workers also provide counseling to students to help them be successful in the school setting. Additionally, the social worker plays a key role in coordinating community resources to support students and their families.

What does the Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant ( LDT/C) do?

The learning consultant (LDT-C) is trained to determine the learning styles of students, to determine specific achievement levels in a variety of content areas, and to recommend specific teaching methods and strategies that may benefit a student. This professional is generally called upon to model specific strategies and methods that may benefit students.