Step 01
Problem Identification
What is the problem or gap we need to address?
What happens in this step?
Now that a student has been referred, your team will define the student's area of need before trying to determine why the problem exists. This is about building a clear understanding of the concern, not jumping to solutions.
Goal: Create a clear, data-based understanding of the concern before trying to determine why it exists or how to solve it.
Gather Input
Collect observations about the student's strengths, challenges, and classroom performance from teachers, families, and other staff.
Review Available Data
Review screening, assessment, attendance, and behavior data to compare the student's current performance to expected performance.
Defining the Problem
Describe the specific gap between the student's current and expected performance using clear, measurable language.
Key Output
A shared, data-based problem statement that clearly defines the student's area of need and provides direction for the rest of the problem-solving process.
Once you have a clear, measurable problem statement, your team can begin analyzing why the problem is occurring and what information is needed to better understand it.