In San Francisco Unified School District's most recent Professional Development Institute held March 11-16, presenters Howard Blonsky and Philip Bryan followed up their earlier presentations with a look at the fine points of facilitating the Student Success Team process.

Participants were given a chance to try successively the roles of team-member, time-keeper/recorder, and facilitator. The facilitator guides the meeting along, and makes sure everyone has a chance to speak, but does not contribute information. The timekeeper/recorder keeps track of time (and may interrupt if necessary) and makes notes that will later be distributed. Team-members may include anyone significant in the student's life: teachers, counselors, family-members.

Unfortunately, no parents showed up for this second-level training, so there was not the immediate parent input that was so beneficial in the January training. However, both presenters shared ways in which they have appealed to parents to be part of the process. They also distributed a simple family brochure they've found useful, and are allowing us to reproduce it.

**It asks:** "Are you looking for some extra support for your child such as an after-school program, tutoring, counseling, or modifications in the classroom to improve academics? The Student Success Team may be a perfect place to start.

"**What is an SST Meeting Like?** A typical SST meeting lasts 45-60 minutes. There is a facilitator and a recorder. It follows a structured format that includes Introductions, **Purpose** of the meeting, **Discussion** of the student's strengths, **Discussion** of concerns, **Brainstorming** (all ideas welcome), **Summary** of actions to be taken (who is responsible for what, and when: everyone is asked to sign this), and group selection of a **Follow-up Meeting Date. Everyone will receive a copy of the information discussed.**"

Teachers, as well as parents, may request the formation of a team. This usually happens in response to concerns about attendance, behavior, or academic progress.

The presenters strongly advocated for the presence of students in such team meetings. The only exceptions are those very young students, K-2, who might be intimidated by the process. Older students, in their experience, already know parents and teachers are getting together. Inviting them to be present functions to lower anxiety, not to raise it.

One of StudyBuddy's students has shown tremendous improvement in achievement and confidence with the implementation of a team approach: give it a try next time you're stumped!