Beth Lambert
Supervisor
Student Support Team and Section 504
443-809-9524
Erika Moore-Thames
Facilitator
Student Support Team and Section 504
443-809-6949
Office of Student Support Services
Jefferson Building
105 W. Chesapeake Ave.
Towson, MD 21204
443-809-9524
What is the Student Support Team?
The Student Support Team (SST) is a general education, problem-solving team that addresses complex academic and behavioral issues by developing and implementing a continuum of interventions and supports for individual students, groups of students and settings in the school.
The SST promotes school-wide prevention and early intervention for all students and determines the need for additional interventions on the basis of student response and systematic progress monitoring.
Who is a part of the SST?
The SST is made up of the SST Chairperson and a general educator. Additionally, a person who is knowledgeable about the area of concern and is able to interpret the data should be included. Additional members may include a parent/guardian, school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist, school social worker, reading specialist, special educator, community agency staff, among others.
What does the SST do?
- Screens/processes referrals for concerns regarding attendance, physical/health, social-emotional, behavioral, mental health, and academics.
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Develops and monitors academic and behavioral interventions through SST Plans.
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Conducts 504 evaluations and, when eligible, develops and monitors 504 Plans for students with physical and/or mental impairments.
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Reviews patterns of referrals to determine needs for targeted group or setting interventions (ADHD, cafeteria) and staff development.
What is Section 504?
Section 504 is a federal civil rights law. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, such as public schools.
A student may be eligible under Section 504 if they have a
- physical or mental impairment that
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substantially limits one or more major life activities thus impacting their performance
The SST should conduct a 504 evaluation whenever there is knowledge or suspicion of a disability or upon parent request.
A free, appropriate public education (FAPE) under Section 504 is the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet the individual need of students with disabilities as adequately as the need of students without disabilities. These related aides and services are generally documented in the form of a 504 Plan. Note that if a student is eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) would be developed instead of a 504 Plan.
For More Information:
If you think your student may be in need of supports and services through the Student Support Team process, please contact the SST Chairperson at your school or Beth Lambert, Supervisor, Student Support Team and 504.
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