Our school district is committed to ensuring the academic achievement, social-emotional well-being, and behavioral success of all students. Federal laws, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), set clear expectations for schools to provide high-quality instruction and support to every student, regardless of their background or learning needs.
To meet these expectations and to foster an inclusive and responsive educational environment, our district utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). MTSS is a comprehensive framework designed to provide high-quality instruction, interventions, and supports to meet the diverse needs of all learners. It emphasizes a proactive and preventative approach, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Key Elements of Our MTSS Framework Include:
High-Quality Core Instruction: All students receive research-based, culturally relevant, and comprehensive instruction in the general education classroom. Our educators utilize best practices and provide differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including those performing below or above grade level and Multilingual Learners (MLs).
Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring: We regularly monitor the progress of all students to identify those who may need additional support and to ensure the effectiveness of our instruction. This data-driven approach guides our decision-making.
Tiered Interventions and Supports: We provide a continuum of supports that increase in intensity based on student need, encompassing academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
Collaborative Team Approach: Our district’s math, literacy, and multilingual support specialists collaborate closely with classroom teachers to analyze student data, plan targeted interventions, and provide ongoing professional development. This collaborative model ensures that students receive coordinated and effective supports to be successful in the classroom.
Family Engagement: We believe in a strong partnership with families, recognizing their vital role in student success. We provide opportunities for families to be informed and involved in their child's educational journey.
School-Wide Social-Emotional Learning and Behavioral Supports: Proactive systems are in place to foster positive behavior, strong social skills, and emotional regulation across all school environments.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Educational decisions are consistently informed by student performance data, ensuring that interventions are effective and adjusted as needed.
The MTSS Framework: A Systematic Approach
MTSS is operationalized as a systematic approach with three tiers of support that increase in intensity based on students’ needs:
Tier 1: Universal Supports (All Students)
All students receive high-quality, research-based curriculum and instruction delivered in the general education classroom.
Classroom teachers are responsible for delivering best practices, providing appropriate accommodations, and differentiating instruction for all learners.
This tier focuses on creating a positive learning environment and providing instruction that meets the needs of the majority of students, aiming for prevention.
Tier 2: Targeted Supports (Some Students)
Students who require additional support beyond the core curriculum receive targeted interventions.
These supports are provided in small groups, either within the classroom or during brief pull-out sessions, and are designed to address specific academic or behavioral skill gaps.
Our math, literacy, and multilingual support specialists often provide direct support and/or partner with classroom teachers to implement these interventions.
Tier 3: Intensive Supports (Few Students)
Students who continue to demonstrate significant academic and/or behavioral difficulties, despite Tier 2 interventions, receive more individualized and intensive supports.
These interventions are highly focused, often delivered with greater frequency and duration, and are tailored to individual student needs.
If students continue to demonstrate challenges with this level of support, a referral for a comprehensive evaluation, including for special education services, may be considered.
By adopting the MTSS framework, our schools ensure a more inclusive, proactive, and responsive approach to addressing the diverse needs of all students, thereby promoting equitable educational outcomes and preparing every student for success.
School-based MTSS manuals will be available on this webpage soon.
For more information about MTSS or if you have concerns about your child's progress, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher.
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School SAT Process Manuals: JOEL | ELIOT | MORGAN
DESSA Universal Screening