Educational Support Teams (EST) were designed to act as a "'think tank' and help solve the puzzle of what is going on for a student and determine what he/she might need to be more successful." These teams meet to discuss students when one or more faculty members on the team have observed a change in behavior in said student or if the teacher(s) feel as though the strategies that they have individually tried are not working to aid in a students success.
Although I have never served, or sat in, on an EST meeting, recently my fellow tutors and I have formed our own EST in relation to the students that we are working with. We have noticed new and different patterns of behavior in our students and feel as though the behaviors they are choosing to participate in will not lead them to the success they want to see in relation to their schooling. Our EST has recently developed our own form to use at our meetings. As a group, we are very excited to begin brainstorming strategies to help our students become more successful in their schooling.
The above quote was found on the Vermont Agency of Education website.
Nice job, Megan! I'm glad that you are looking into the format and structures of ESTs. The practice (check out the AOE website) will make it much more familiar when you student teach.
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