The Student Support Team (SST) is a problem-solving process in every Georgia school. Its purpose is to find ways around roadblocks to success for any student referred to it. A number of recent events and decisions both national and state have placed markedly increased importance on the SST process:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has been strongly emphasized by the federal government as applicable to the schools' handling of certain student difficulties. SST documentation can meet most Section 504 requirements.
• The realization that conditions beyond mere academics play a pivotal role for students at risk of failure. The success of the broad approach used by Student Assistance Programs (SAP, from the federal Drug-Free Schools initiative) has shown the value of collaboration, especially across agencies.
• 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 national 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.