WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE CHILD STUDY TEAM?
New Jersey Department of Education regulations require that the basic team includes a school psychologist, a learning consultant, and a school social worker, all of whom must be appropriately certified. For a preschool student, theregulations require the basic team to include a speech/language specialist.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST?
The school psychologist has expertise in determining a child's level of cognitive and conceptual development, and in addition, the psychologist is concerned with the emotional status of school children, and how internal factors affect behavior and performance in school. The school psychologist works with regular classroom and special education teachers, and parents to maximize each child's potential and to create a warm, supportive and enriching instructional environment.
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEARNING CONSULTANT?
The learning consultant is trained to determine the learning styles of children and to recommend specific teaching methods/materials which will best accommodate a child's needs. The learning consultant also determines whether a child who has been referred to the Child Study Team has the tools to learn, and what academic knowledge and skills the child has acquired. In addition, the learning consultant provides consultative services to the regular and special education teachers, and parents to develop strategies and techniques to enhance the students' academic performance.
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER?
The expertise of the school social worker lies in assessing the student in relation to the family, school and neighborhood. In this role, the school social worker gathers information concerning the student's health, family and school history, as it pertains to the child's current school progress. The school social worker also is the primary specialist who coordinates community resources on behalf of students.
WHAT OTHER PROFESSIONALS MIGHT THE CHILD STUDY TEAM CALL UPON?
Speech/language specialists, who are part of the staff at Bordentown Regional Schools, are often called upon to provide the Child Study Team with assessment results. These assessment results are integrated with those results gathered by the other specialists, to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a student. Other specialists can include an audiologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, occupational therapist, and/or physical therapist. The Child Study Team Director monitors/facilitates the functions of the Child Study Team and develops the Special Education Programs to support students.
WHO CAN REFER A STUDENT TO THE CHILD STUDY TEAM?
Referrals can come from various sources: 1) The vast majority originate with the Intervention and Referral Team based at your child’s school. Once the committee has utilized its resources and finds that additional information is required, or feels the student may be experiencing education difficulties, the student may be recommended for evaluation by the Child Study Team. An evaluation may include one or more assessments by the following professionals: learning consultant, psychologist, and/or social worker. 2) Referrals can be made directly to CST by the school principal. 3) Parents may request an evaluation by the Child Study Team by submitting a written request to the Director of Special Services.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE ONCE A CHILD HAS BEEN ASSESSED?
Once the evaluation has been completed, the Child Study Team, parents, and teachers meet to determine if the student is eligible for special education and related services. If the student is found eligible, this group determines the supports and services necessary to ensure the student receives an education in the least restrictive environment. In some cases, students remain within the regular education class with supports, while in other cases, students may be placed in special education programs within district or in out of district placements.
WHAT OTHER FUNCTIONS DOES THE CHILD STUDY TEAM PERFORM?
Members of the Child Study Team serve on various committees and are called upon to contribute their services in a variety of situations requiring their expertise. Child Study Team members also monitor special need students and develop educational plans for students in out-of-district programs
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