As a member of the Child Study Team (CST), myself and my fellow team members are specialists in the area of disabilities. We are responsible for the identification, evaluation, and determination of eligibility for special education and related services. We also create and review Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The Child Study Team members include a school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, school social worker, speech-language therapist, and general education teacher. The team can also include an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or other specialists as appropriate. The team collaborates with parents, teachers, and school administrators to provide free and appropriate educational services to eligible students.
Every student who is classified as eligible for special education and related services is assigned a case manager. The case manager is responsible for coordinating the development of the IEP, as well as monitoring and evaluating of the effectiveness of the IEP. The case manager facilitates communication between home and school and coordinates the annual review and re-evaluation process. The case manager is knowledgeable about the student's academic and behavioral needs, and consults with school personnel to ensure that these needs are met.