Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Questions and Answers

1 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Questions and Answers Steven Prater, Manager of Technical Assistance in the Division of Special Education Cherry Lee, Dyslexia Coordinator Laura Wilk, Section 504 Coordinator Frank Solano, Intervention Best Practices Coordinator TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Will TEA continue to use the term Response to Intervention (RtI), or do we all need to move to Multi- Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)? 2. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency RtI MTSS encompasses supports for the whole child, and takes into account academics, behavior, and social/emotional supports.

2 MTSS is the term that is being used more and more nationwide. RtI and Positive Behavior Emotional MTSS Social Intervention and Supports (PBIS). are examples of tiered Systems under the MTSS umbrella. Intervention Best Practices Statewide Leadership Network will develop guidance, including professional development PBIS modules, about MTSS. 3. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Will TEA determine an MTSS. minimum standard/process? Will this be in rule? 4. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).

3 Texas Education Agency The Intervention Best Practices Network will develop materials and a framework that districts may use to guide their implementation of MTSS. At this time, there is no plan to mandate MTSS or any specific minimum standard or process. 5. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Current TEA sponsored guidance for MTSS can be found at: The TEA Response to Intervention page: ulations/Special_Education/Programs_and_ Services/Re sponse_to_Intervention/. Building RtI Capacity Website: Texas Behavior Support Website: 6.

4 TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Who owns MTSS? What are some best practices on well- functioning programs? 7. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency MTSS should be provided through the collaborative efforts of general and special education. Students with disabilities should have access to all tiers in MTSS. 8. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Universal Screening Tiers 2 and 3 Evidenced are Based supplemental to Tier 1 Practices MTSS.

5 Research Best Practices Based Progress Curriculum at Monitoring Tier 1. Data-Based Fidelity of Implementation Decision Making 9. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency The Building RTI Capacity website provides a campus needs assessment and tools for planning and monitoring MTSS implementation. Campus Needs Assessment Tools: assessment-tools Instructional Decision-Making Procedures: Ensuring Appropriate Instruction for Struggling Students In Grades K-12: decision-making-procedures-ensuring-appr opriate- instruction-for-struggling 10.

6 TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency How does MTSS work with behavior challenges? Please offer some best practices. 11. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Universal Screening Tiers 2 and 3 Evidenced are supplemental Based to Tier 1 Practices Behavior Research MTSS Best Progress Practices Based Strategies at Monitoring Tier 1. Data-Based Fidelity of Implementation Decision Making 12. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency The National Center for Intensive Intervention (NCII) provides case studies and further guidance on behavior interventions in a MTSS framework at: intensity-case-example-building-interven tion-intensity-behavior NCII Tools Chart for Behavior Screeners: NCII Tools Chart for Behavior Interventions: chart NCII Tools Chart for Behavior Progress Monitoring: monitoring-tools 13.

7 TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency How does the MTSS process relate to students with dyslexia? 14. Texas Education Agency Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). u Students who are struggling with reading, or showing early risk factors associated with dyslexia, may receive interventions through MTSS. Tiered intervention programs play an important role in providing access to research-based interventions for struggling students A referral for a full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE) can occur at any point in the MTSS process, and MTSS is not required prior to any referrals for special education services.

8 Learn more about the Provision of Services for Students with Dyslexia and Related Disorders . 15. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency .,_..,_..,_..,_. IDEA Child Find Mandate: LEA Responsibilities: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia &. To identify, locate, and evaluate LEAs have an obligation to refer Dyscalculia: all children with disabilities, any student suspected of having OSERS: There is nothing in the regardless of the severity of a disability and needing special IDEA that prohibits the use of their disability ed.

9 Services these terms in evaluation &. IEP documents TEA. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Who should be on a student Support team? 17. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Schools should be General education teachers thoughtful about the Special education teachers Interventionists team members that Specialists (reading are needed specialist, math specialist, behavior specialist, etc.). Student Support Administrators School counselors teams might Social workers include: Evaluation personnel (diagnosticians, LSSPs).

10 18. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency Should an FIIE be conducted while a student is receiving MTSS? When is the appropriate time to evaluate? 19. TEA Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Texas Education Agency The appropriate time to evaluate is when there is a suspicion that a student has a disability and requires special education and related services. If a student is receiving MTSS services, and there is a decision to conduct an FIIE, the student should continue with the MTSS. services while the evaluation is being conducted.