Specialized Instructional Support

The Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) included here are those affiliated with providing school-based physical, social, emotional and mental health prevention, intervention, transition and follow-up services for all students and families - school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists and school nurses. These SISP are also often known as student, pupil, or instructional support services. They are available to provide direct services for all school children and youth to help maintain and promote mental and physical health and intervene when related challenges create barriers to learning. Direct services are provided by means such as education, counseling, consultation and individual assessment. In addition, SISP provides in-service training, parent education, community collaboration and carry out student service program management. SISP are a vital part of comprehensive school program success. Each of these professional disciplines have specializations of which you can find more information on the individual discipline pages.

The complete Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 Definition of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel: Title VIII, SEC. 8002 includes the following: The term 'specialized instructional support personnel' means— i) school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists; and ii) other qualified professional personnel, such as school nurses, speech language pathologists, and school librarians, involved in providing assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational, therapeutic, and other necessary services (including related services as that term is defined in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401) as part of a comprehensive program to meet student needs.

For information on SISP other than those included here, please visit their related pages on the NCDPI website.

Information and Resources 

NC Healthy Schools

SISP Complete Document

SISP Overview Document

School Counseling Guide

School Nursing Guide

School Psychology Guide

School Social Work Guide

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