The Instructional Support Team (IST) Project of Pennsylvania identifies effective instructional approaches for students prior to referral for special education and helps support students with disabilities in regular classroom environments. Pennsylvania State Special Education Regulations and Standards require the IST process in schools that have grades K-6; all 501 school districts are expected to have IST in place by the 1997-98 school year. The IST program has been successful in decreasing the need for special education for students in the regular classroom; 1992-93 data revealed that schools using IST referred up to 46 percent fewer students for evaluation for special education than schools that had not yet undertaken the process. Schools using the IST process have also seen the number of students retained in grade reduced by as much as 272 percent. Finally, studies have demonstrated that schools with high levels of implementation produced better results for students' learning than schools with low levels of implementation. A brochure describing the IST program and five information sheets on special education placements, student retention, inclusion, essential school services, and staff development are included. (Contains 23 references.) (ND)