The realization that conditions beyond mere academics play a pivotal role for students at risk of failure. School-based management and problem solving have become one of the recognized successes in the national education reform movement. The SST process is a way for schools to demonstrate progress toward the Goals 2000 areas of better teacher support and more parent involvement. Increased concern on school safety has called for better classroom behavior management. Collective wisdom of SST members assists teachers with this.
Membership varies from school to school.
Typically there are 3-5 members. They may be an administrator, a counselor, a regular education teacher, a special education teacher, a school social worker, a parent, a media specialist, a school psychologist or other central office persons, as appropriate. Members may be appointed or may volunteer, and some are invited to serve on a particular case that needs their expertise. Service time for standing members may vary from a semester to several years. The problem-solving expertise of the SST is for the benefit of the entire school.