DISD utilizes the Problem Solving Team (PST) model as the collaborative school structure of addressing student concerns.

What is a Problem Solving Team (PST)?
Each campus has a PST that meets regularly to address student concerns. Each campus determines the “membership” of the PST, but generally, teachers, counselors, administrators, and when needed, specialists (such as a reading specialist, diagnostician, nurse, school psychologist or social worker).  Parents can also be a member of their child’s PST.

Each PST has a “chairperson” who helps to keep the meeting flowing smoothly and makes sure that all relevant information is shared and data are gathered.

DISD has instituted a standardized set of forms for PST to use to facilitate data collection and communication.  

What happens at a PST meeting?
The teacher or parent presents the concerns about the student and relevant information to the team.  The team then “brainstorms” and generates ideas (interventions) for solving the problem.  Very often, the process stops here.

However, if the concern has been ongoing, and previous interventions have been tried and not been fully successful, the team may determine that the student needs a referral to a special program evaluation.  The PST determines whether the evaluation is for Section 504, Dyslexia, or Special Education.

As a parent, who do I contact if I believe a PST is needed for my child?
At the elementary school level, contact your child’s teacher.  Your child’s teacher will know the process for that campus.

At the middle, junior, and high school level, students have multiple teachers, thus, you should contact the child’s counselor, who will be able to provide you information on the campus process.