Reaching Consensus about Educationally Necessary Support Services: A Qualitative Evaluation of VISTA.

Abstract This article describes a qualitative evaluation of VISTA (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) based on extensive observations and interviews. A description of VISTA is provided followed by data pertaining to how teams functioned prior to VISTA use and three primary evaluation questions: (a) Does VISTA do what it purports to do? (b) What impact does VISTA have on team members' practices and interactions? and (c) What are the limitations of VISTA and potential improvements from a consumer-based perspective? The data and discussion offer the reader insights into VISTA use and offer suggestions for future research.