AP 207

School Based Teams

Background 

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the terms of reference and standards for School-Based Teams. 

Procedures 

The following guidelines reflect current best practices to ensure the highest standard of School-Based Teams. It is the principals’ responsibility to ensure that these standards are met. 

1. Definition 
School-Based Team – an on-going team of school based personnel which have a formal role to play as a problem solving unit in assisting classroom teachers to develop and implement instructional and/or management strategies and to coordinate support resources for students within the school. 

2. Purpose of the School-Based Team 
The SBT is responsible for the following: 

  • 2.1 Planning and coordinating services and resources in the school for students with diverse learning needs 
  • 2.2 Providing opportunities for consultation with teachers on possible classroom strategies 
  • 2.3 Supporting teachers in implementing appropriate strategies for students 
  • 2.4 Identifying the need for additional district or community services and initiating appropriate referrals 
  • 2.5 Facilitating inter-ministerial planning and service delivery within the school 
  • 2.6 Ensuring a case manager is assigned to all designated students 
  • 2.7 Other duties such as setting class lists, setting school-wide assessment requirements and review of school-wide assessment data to inform programming, regular review of high-risk students’ progress and attendance etc. 

3. School Based-Team Meeting Norms 

  • 3.1 SBT members develop meeting norms which are communicated to all staff and reviewed at least yearly 
  • 3.2 The norms ensure the SBT meetings are student centered, positive and solution based (respectful language, limited number of referrals, input from all parties allowed, rules regarding electronics at meetings, etc.) 

4. Membership in School-Based Teams 

  • 4.1 The School-Based Team (SBT) must include the following members: 
    • 4.1.1 Principal and/or vice-principal 
    • 4.1.2 School Based counsellor (middle and high schools) 
    • 4.1.3 Learning Support Services teacher(s) 
    • 4.1.4 Staff making the referral 
  • 4.2 The-School-Based Team should also include: 
    • 4.2.1 Classroom teacher(s) representatives 
    • 4.2.2 English Language Learners teacher(s) 
    • 4.2.3 School-Based Youth Care Worker 
    • 4.2.4 Cultural Education Support Workers/Aboriginal YCW 
    • 4.2.5 Others depending on the school size, culture and staff 
  • 4.3 The School-Based Team may also include, as needed: 
    • 4.3.1 Education Assistants 
    • 4.3.2 District LSS staff, (itinerant counsellor, school psychologist, speech and language, pathologist, itinerant youth care worker, etc.) 
    • 4.3.3 Representatives from community services or other ministries 
    • 4.3.4 Other individuals who have pertinent information about the student (parents, guardians, former teachers etc.) 

5. Schedule of meetings 

  • 5.1 Highly effective School-Based Teams have a regularly scheduled meeting time and place – generally weekly or bi-weekly 
  • 5.2 The schedule is determined at the beginning of the year and is communicated clearly to all school staff. 

6. Roles on School-Based Teams 

  • 6.1 The School-Based Team Chairperson 
    • 6.1.1 Is chosen at the first meeting of the year and continues in that role for the school year 
    • 6.1.2 Sets the agenda and distributes it to SBT members prior to the meeting (AP 207-2 School-Based Team Meeting Agenda) 
    • 6.1.3 Chairs the meeting and ensures meeting norms are followed 
    • 6.1.4 Sets a time frame for the meeting and ensures the meeting starts and ends on time 
    • 6.1.5 Collects the referrals from teachers in the school, ensures the referrals are complete with necessary paperwork and completed file review 
    • 6.1.6 Informs the teachers when to attend the meeting to discuss the referral 
  • 6.2 The School-Based Team Note Taker 
    • 6.2.1 A member of the committee who is NOT the Chairperson 
    • 6.2.2 Keep notes to ensure discussions, decisions and solutions are recorded (AP207-3 School -Based Team Notes on Referral) 
    • 6.2.3 Ensure that the notes on individual students are kept separate to ensure confidentiality and for easy filing (AP 207-3 – Meeting Notes) 
    • 6.2.4 File notes into a binder or computer file which can be shared with the team (including the referring teacher) 
    • 6.2.5 Ensure the meeting notes are distributed to members of the SBT, referring teachers and parents 

7. Referrals to SBT (AP 207-1 School-Based Team Referral Form) 

  • 7.1 All referrals to SBT should be submitted on the school referral form, to the SBT Chairperson, and processed in a timely manner. 
    • 7.1.1 Develop a consistent, known date for referrals to be submitted (monthly/weekly) so staff is aware of when to refer and when to be available to attend the SBT meeting as needed. 
    • 7.1.2 Parents must be informed that their child has been referred to a School-Based Team meeting. Information as to date and method the parent/guardian was informed of the referral should be included on the referral form. 
    • 7.1.3 Parents are welcome to attend the SBT meeting when their child’s needs and program are discussed. 
    • 7.1.4 Parents can request that the classroom teacher, learning support services teacher or principal/vice-principal refer their child to School-Based Team as a part of collaborative planning for the student. 
    • 7.1.5 Referrals require a current file review to be completed by the referring teacher. 

Last Revised: June 2016
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