COLLABORATION BETWEEN COLLEAGUES

CHILD STUDY COLLABORATION

NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY
CHILD STUDY

WHAT IS A CHILD STUDY?

 A child study is a meeting to formulate a plan for students well below
grade level that are no longer making progress with the highest level of
intervention.

The meeting requires the
principal, counselor, teacher,
special education teacher,
reading specialist, nurse and
school psychologist be in
attendance.
MEETING OF THE MINDS
There are other determining
factors that can aid in a
child’s qualification for special
education placement. Hence
the reason for all the
personnel. There are certain
factors that may be unknown
to the classroom teacher,
that are known by others in
administration.
It takes everyone in
agreement to determine if
the child should be tested for
a learning disability. The
learning gap between ability
and IQ must be significant for
the child to qualify. When the
determination is made, if
there is more data required
the classroom teacher and
the reading specialist will
continue interventions for six
more weeks and the team
will reconvene.
  It takes the team of professionals working together with
the focus of what is best for the child to make this process
seamless. The team for child study is most effective when
the idea of self is last, and child is first. There are copious
amounts of hours involved in the testing and transition
process. Without everyone working together a child may
TEAMWORK not get the placement needed. Without the correct
placement, it can be an unnecessary detriment to their
education.
 Over the past nine years at Northeast Elementary, I have
been in child studies with both child-focused and self-
focused teams. In those circumstances, it takes rationale
and data to advocate for a child’s educational needs.
RESULTS

 When and if the child is tested and qualifies, that child is then removed
from regular education for the subject in which they show the learning
discrepancy. They will be placed in a special education classroom for
that subject to receive the necessary accommodations to subject
matter. With accommodations and smaller learning environment, the
child will be monitored for continued progress without the pressure of
having to struggle with grade level work.