BVSD has adopted the CDE definition of Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): a prevention based framework of team‐driven, data‐based problem solving for improving the outcomes of every student through family, school, and community partnering and a layered continuum of evidence‐based practices applied at the classroom, school, district, region, and state level.
Key to understanding and implementing MTSS is realizing that it is a framework, not a program. A framework is the basic structure underlying a system. In 2016-17, school-based MTSS Leadership Teams will be planning how to implement the district adopted framework for MTSS at their buildings during the 2017-18 school year.
Directly connected to the MTSS work of school teams are the BVSD Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) strategies for 2016-2017:
Strategy 1: School-based MTSS Leadership Teams: Each school will convene a school-based MTSS Leadership Team. The MTSS Leadership Teams (2-4 staff members) will attend district trainings and share the professional learning with all instructional staff in their buildings in order to build capacity for smooth implementation of district developed/identified assessment tools, intervention strategies, and social-emotional learning resources/programs.
Strategy 2: Limited Scale Implementation of District-developed MTSS Tools: School-based MTSS Leadership Teams will gain expertise in the implementation of district developed/identified assessment tools for reading and social-emotional learning; intervention strategies; and universal instructional strategies for reading as identified in the Literacy and Early LearningUIP Strategies.
In order to guide schools in this work, the district level Systems of Support Leadership team is hosting professional learning and providing personalized coaching to site leads. On August 9th, over three hundred educators gathered at Monarch High School for the MTSS Summer Extravaganza. This Olympic themed event was the official kick off for MTSS work in BVSD and allowed teams a full day together to learn, reflect and plan for implementation in their schools.
Site leads will participate in five professional learning half-days throughout the school year to further refine their practices and learn from each other. Site leads and school teams will also be coached directly by a member of the district Systems of Support Leadership team, who will meet with schools at least quarterly. Our intent is to provide a layered continuum of supports to schools as they engage in MTSS work.
At the September 13 Board of Education meeting, Systems of Support Co-Chairs and Emerald Elementary Principal Samara Williams provided an update on the Success Effect strategic work around Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) school-based team development. Board members expressed support for the work and interest in the ways that the MTSS framework will help improve outcomes for every student in the BVSD.
By Jennifer Barr, Interim Assistant Principal, Monarch High School
Co-Chair, Systems of Support Priority Action Team
Tags: data, learning, MTSS, partnerships, professional development, student success, UIP