Description
Resetting How ESTs Function in a Post-COVID Context
As schools engage in post-COVID recovery efforts, there is concern about the number of students who may be in need of additional layers of support and instruction to recoup. An efficient, effective Educational Support Team (EST) functions as a problem solving team able to identify and provide for more individualized interventions without the need for a referral to special education. The EST can also offer systems for collaboration with specialists that are designed to increase student access to core instruction through universal design.
This recorded workshop affords an opportunity to reconsider and reset the EST structure within schools. Participants/teams will:
- Access Vermont Agency of Education resources that identify the purpose of EST within a well-functioning MTSS for both SEL and academic functioning.
- Identify the learners who are intended to be supported by EST, and learners who should be supported by teaming structures other than EST for a different purpose.
- Crosswalk current school practices with the new learnings about effective EST, and create a system level EST process within the larger MTSS structure.
- Align procedures and practices with this new, collective vision to both establish and maintain effective EST functioning over time.
- Consider the roles and responsibilities of each EST team member and the relational practices needed to maintain successful work together.
- Identify and/or create effective systems for documenting the evidence used to intensify layers of intervention within EST plans.
- Create an intentional schedule and protocols for EST meetings to ensure efficiency and maintenance of EST functioning over time.