Who are the members of the Child Study Team?
The members of the Child Study Team as determined by the New Jersey Department of Education are a school psychologist, a learning disabilities-teacher consultant, a school social worker, and a speech-language pathologist (when appropriate).

What are the responsibilities of the School Psychologist?
The school psychologist has expertise in determining a child’s level of cognitive and conceptual development. In addition the psychologist is concerned with the emotional status of the student, and how both internal and external factors may affect behavior and performance in school. The school psychologist works with both general education and special education teachers to maximize a student’s potential.  In certain situations, the psychologist may also provide counseling services. 

What are the responsibilities of the Learning Disabilities-Teacher Consultant?
The learning consultant (LDT-C) is trained to determine the learning styles of students, to determine specific achievement levels in a variety of content areas, and to recommend specific teaching methods and strategies that may benefit a student. This professional is generally called upon to model specific strategies and methods that may benefit students.

What are the responsibilities of the School Social Worker?
The expertise of the social worker lies in assessing the student relative to the family, the school, and the community. This professional generally gathers information concerning the student’s health, family, and school history as it pertains to the student’s current school functioning. The social worker is also the professional responsible for coordinating community resources on behalf of students and their families. In certain situations, the social worker may also provide counseling services. 

THE REFERRAL PROCESS

How is a student referred for a Child Study Team Evaluation?
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they come from one of the following:

1. I&RS/MTSS: The I&RS Intervention and Referral Services is a building based inter-disciplinary group that meets regularly to provide intervention for students experiencing difficulty in the classroom. Once IR& S has utilized its resources and determines that additional information may be necessary, or feels that the student may be potentially educationally disabled, the student may be recommended for a CST evaluation.

2. ADMINISTRATORS or OUTSIDE AGENCIES: The Principal or other building administrator or an individual from an outside agency (Early Intervention, doctor, social worker, etc.) may refer a student for a Child Study Team Evaluation.

3.  PARENTS: Parents may request a Child Study Team Evaluation by contacting a team member at their child’s school and forwarding the request in writing.

What is the procedure after the referral is made?
Once the referral has been made the Case Manager has twenty (20) days to schedule a Referral Review Meeting. The necessary personnel expected to attend this meeting would be a social worker, school psychologist, learning disabilities-teacher consultant, classroom teacher, speech & language specialist (if the suspected disability included that area or the child was age 3-5) and the parent.

Are students automatically tested if the request is made?
No. Once a request for a Child Study Team evaluation is made a Referral Review Meeting must be scheduled. At that meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted and if so an Evaluation Plan is developed.

What is the procedure if the student is going to be tested?
Once it is determined that testing is necessary an assessment plan is developed and the parent/guardian gives written permission. The district then has ninety (90) days to complete the necessary evaluations. Within the ninety (90) days an Eligibility Conference is scheduled where the evaluations are interpreted and it is determined if the student is eligible for special education and/or related services.