The ISSP & Pathways Commission Report - Government of ...

• Where there is more than one professional from an agency servingthe child, each agency may designate a single representative as ateam member.Despite these guidelines, the Commission consistently heard that such is not thepractice. Teachers report considerable stress in having to attend countless meetingsthat are of little help to them. Parents, on the other hand, voice struggles withactually getting the meeting scheduled and then being rushed through the agendawith few teachers in attendance. They also described these meetings as being veryintimidating in that they often feel like they have to “face a team” of professionals,alone and isolated in their role. While teachers report that they have to “fit in” themeetings despite numerous other commitments, parents suggest that often theyfeel the only reason they have to go is to sign the forms. Certainly both agree thatthe meetings do not reflect a collegial and collaborative process of decision-making.The Commission again questions the necessity of this. Given that approximately 14158 students currently have ISSPs and that guidelines require two meetings a year,there will be at least 28 316 ISSP meetings scheduled this year.Table 7 offers an indication of the number of participants attending meetings andthe teacher time required in this process.Focusing on Students:A Report of the ISSP & Pathways Commission47