Orleans Southwest

Educational Support System (ESS)

The goal of the The Educational Support System is to provide students with additional assistance needed for them to succeed or be challenged in the general education environment. This is the collective responsibility of everyone in a school.

Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union is dedicated to providing a successful learning experience for all students.

The Educational Support System includes an effective Educational Support Team. The function of the team is to recommend and manage instructional and other interventions and resources necessary to help teachers accommodate the unique needs of the at-risk students.

The building principal needs to assure that the school’s Educational Support System is designed to provide students with needed accommodations and supplementary aids and services regardless of their eligibility for categorical programs; includes a means to determine on a regular basis the effectiveness of accommodations, supplementary aids and services, and programs and activities in meeting student needs; includes collaborations with families, community supports and health and human services.

While students generally will be referred through the Educational Support Team before a referral to Section 504 or special education services is initiated, it is not a requirement. A parent may make a special education referral at any time. Also, school staff may decide a special education referral is appropriate because of special circumstances, including but not limited to, suspicion of the existence of a severe disability requiring immediate intensive intervention, and/or recognition that a number of appropriate interventions have already been attempted without success.

Each Educational Support Team will have a process for developing an individual student EST plan when needed, which includes a system to review, revise, or end the plan.

Referrals and/or to get more information about the Educational Support System/Team within your child’s school should be made to the building principal.

For More information visit the Vermont Department of Education web site:

Act 117 Comprehensive System Of Educational Services - Vermont Department of Education