SAT Meetings:
What Does a
Good One
Look Like?
Dr. Lisa Burton
and
burton15@marshall.edu
Dr. Jonathan Lent
lentj@marshall.edu
Marshall University
The Law and State Policies
• WV Code §18-2E-10
State Board policy requires every school
to establish a student assistance team
that reviews student academic needs that
have persisted despite being addressed
by instruction and intervention and
requires every school to implement, in an
equitable manner, programs during and
after the instructional day at the
appropriate instructional levels that
contribute to the success of students;
and…
Policy 2510 and Policy 2419
Let’s Review Handout
Now we know the law BUT
what does a SAT actually do?
• The Student Assistance Team (SAT)
is a school team designed to assist
students that may be struggling
academically, behaviorally or
emotionally at school, which is
inhibiting the student in being
successful.
• The team is a positive, problemsolving intervention process which
includes at least 3 persons.
Goals of the SAT
• Identify students who are experiencing emotional
stress;
• Identify students involved with alcohol and drug use;
• Identify students who are struggling with academic
difficulties;
• Identify students who are struggling with
relationship or family issues;
• Provide appropriate out-of-school referrals or inschool services and interventions for students; and
• Identify students that may need to be referred for
special education multidisciplinary evaluation.
“Focus on those students that need
extra attention in order to be
successful.”
Key Players on the SAT
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An administrator
Current teachers
School Counselor
School Psychologist
Nurse
Parent
Student
Possible outside agencies
Students are most successful
where there is a strong spirit of
cooperation between home,
school and community. It is this
shared responsibility that the SAT
meets to explore possibilities and
strategies that will best meet the
educational needs of the students,
and support teachers and parents.
Benefits of Successful SATs
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Decreased school dropouts
Improved grade point averages
Fewer discipline referrals
Decreased truancy rates and
school vandalism
How Does it Work?
• A referral is made. It can be by the
teacher, the parent, the student or
another school staff member. (see
sample)
• Prior to the first SAT meeting,
teachers should implement some
classroom modifications. It may be
as simple as a seat change, a daily
assignment sheet, or an increase in
visual teaching aids.
• Sometimes a simple change can
make a huge difference.
• Any modification that has been
tried or is currently in place will
be discussed at the SAT meeting.
• Using this information, the team
can suggest further steps to help
the student.
What happens at the SAT
Meeting?
• Everyone meets and student is
involved if appropriate.
• It takes approximately 20-30
minutes.
• A Coordinator for the SAT leads
the group through a problemsolving process, which is
recorded and results in a written
plan of action.
• The heart of the problem-solving
meeting has five basic
components: 1) review and clarify
the problem, 2) brainstorm
possible interventions, 3) discuss
and evaluate interventions, 4)
choose intervention(s), and 5)
develop an action plan.
• The team uses an agreed upon
structure to discuss the student
strengths, concerns, pertinent
history and information related to
interventions and outcomes.
• For the interventions, a brainstorming
activity can be used to generate as
many interventions as possible without
critiquing them at the moment. (See
handout)
• The team then evaluates the
interventions generated and the team
discusses the feasibility of
implementation.
• The intervention(s) is selected by the
team.
• The action plan is written and a date
for a follow-up meeting is determined
in order to assess the effectiveness of
the intervention(s) implemented.
• The team coordinator
summarizes the major points of
the meeting and provides any
next steps. (see suggested
timeline as an example)
• After several weeks, the team
meets again for the follow-up to
assess the effectiveness of the
interventions. (see sample form)
Tips for Successful SATs
• Provide training for all staff on
procedures, requirements and the referral
process for multidisciplinary evaluations,
alternative education placement, etc.
• When new team members are selected or
hired, make sure they are trained.
• Select a team coordinator that will keep
records and data on the SAT meetings and
progress. This should be an administrator.
• Always look to the SAT as a source of
support for all students needing
assistance or that may be struggling in
some form.
• Create a common language that all
team members know and use.
• Make forms that will be used during all
SAT meetings.
• Remember that the parent can provide
another view of the student, so always
try to include the parent whenever
possible.
• If appropriate, include the student. It is
important that the interventions that
the SAT generate are doable and
acceptable to the student in order for
them to be effective. (Most of the
time)
• Be flexible, honest and direct as
different people’s visions emerge and
obstacles appear.
• Make sure you follow-up and
continually assess whether or not
the interventions are working.
• Select a regular meeting time for
all SAT meetings when possible and
stick to it.
• Establish a system for responding
promptly to teacher referrals.
• Work out a process for
communicating with team
members about meetings,
interventions, follow-ups etc.
• Save time during faculty meetings
to discuss the SAT and progress
with students.
• Present the SAT process at a PTA or
PTO meeting to gain their support
and understanding of the process.
• Create an inventory of resources
that can be used during the
intervention process.
• Keep an open mind during the
meetings.
• Be nonjudgmental at the meetings.
• Make sure faculty understand the
importance and need for the SAT.
Questions?????