MTSS Newsletter
November and December 2021
MTSS Critical Component: Leadership
MTSS Leadership Team Topics for November and December
Evaluate progress on SIP critical action steps
In collaboration with PLCs, analyze supplemental and intensive data to determine effectiveness of interventions
Identify any barriers contributing to fidelity of intervention delivery and lack of student progress
Based on data analysis trends and intervention fidelity check, implement needed changes (i.e., schedule changes/adjustments, academic/behavior expectations, curricular adjustments, teacher changes, etc.)
Based on end-of-quarter data, determine the need for additional supplemental or intensive intervention plans
Ensure supplemental and individual problem solving is occurring in PLCs through ongoing feedback loops between MTSS leadership and PLCs
MTSS Leadership Team Monthly Topics
We love joining leadership team meetings to support and be a thought partner with your team! Let your MTSS Specialist know when you next leadership team meeting is if you would like us to join.
Critical Component: Building the Capacity/Infrastructure for Implementation
Here is the 2021-2022 MTSS Professional Development Catalog to support your school's PD plan. We recommend determining needed MTSS framework PD for the MTSS Leadership team and which teachers should attend specific intervention training; here is a planning tool your team can use (K-5 or 6-12).
Integrated Data-Based Problem Solving for Elementary is coming up on 12/16 from 8:30-11:30 (MyTalent # 423561).
Integrated Data-Based Problem Solving for Secondary is coming up on 12/14 from 8:30-3:30 (MyTalent # 423599).
Educating African American and Latino Male Students: Instructional Considerations has several sessions coming. Please read the informational flier here and register in MyTalent, #423894.
We would love to see you there!
Critical Component: Communication and Collaboration
MTSS and EC Collaboration
- The Data Mapping Template is recommended for use once a student is referred for intensive interventions and captures whole child information across tiers and domains.
- MTSS Guidelines for Students Referred or Eligible for Special Education Services: this document combines the EC Concurrent Guidance document with the MTSS Guidelines for Students Referred to EC.
- We will be offering office hours to provide support and guidance on required components to determine SLD eligibility based on the policy change from 7/1/20. We will review Data Mapping Template samples during each session and allow time for questions. No registration is required - you may attend using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/8443197561.
- If you haven’t already done so, it will be helpful for you to complete one of the Canvas training opportunities for SLD Eligibility.
- 1/24/22 from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM High School Literacy
- 2/28/22 from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Middle School Math
- 4/25/22 from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM High School Math
Critical Component: Data-Based Problem Solving
What is Data-Based Problem Solving within an MTSS?
Now that interventions are in place, it is important to assess intervention fidelity to ensure positive student outcomes. Here is an OG fidelity tool:
For core SEL instruction, here are Caring Schools Checklists (fidelity checks):
- K-5 Example Checklist
- K-5 Example Evidence (Morning Circles)
- 6-8 Example Checklist
- 6-8 Example Evidence (Advisory)
Helpful Navigator Reports
Academics:
MAP Reading and Math At-Risk Reports in the Navigator Portal provides schools with the numbers and percentages of students who fall either below or above the At Risk RIT score. This report provides a quick way for MTSS Leadership Team Members to identify the “health of the academic core” and to identify specific students in need of academic interventions. This report is available at the district, school & teacher level and by instructional focus area.
Behavior:
Here is a video explaining the Compass YTD Incident and Suspension Report. The report includes summary level data on incidents and suspensions by offense type. You can also view results by different demographic categories.
Here are Navigator Basics and a Video: Naviagator MTSS Data Mapping Dashboard: Step by Step Directions.
Critical Component: Three-Tiered Instruction and Intervention Model
Intensive Reading Intervention: Orton Gillingham
You may now register your 4th and 5th grade teachers for OG professional development! Reference the OG Principal Memo from 11/3.
CMS started OG training last year to provision teachers with a foundational reading skills intervention at the intensive tier. What we saw happening was that teachers loved the training and in addition to providing intensive intervention, they began to infuse some multi-sensory strategies from Orton into core. To support teachers in doing this in a consistent way across the district that truly integrates Orton practices with EL instructional practices, we have created some guidance how to integrate specific Orton strategies into EL Skills Block. The goal is to integrate, not to replace as the two integrated have the potential to provide amazing literacy instruction for students resulting in reading growth. Use the Core: Orton Gillingham Strategy Integration into EL Curriculum document for guidance and videos on how to do this!
OG Tools:
Reference the Orton Gillingham Library for information on many specific OG topics.
OG Decodables are now available for K-5 teachers who are using OG as an intensive intervention or can be used during Skills Block. There are 54 additional IMSE decodable readers in a book format or passage that are aligned to the EL Education Scope and Sequence. The IMSE decodable readers can be printed for students, projected on the board, or accessed on a device as a PDF document for extra practice during Skills Block stations - independent reading (A.I.R.), word work, fluency, writing, or work with the teacher. Comprehension questions are included at the end of each story. Here is the link to the memo with additional info.
Please reach out to Heather Anderson or Sarah Lichtenberg for OG information.
heather.norman@cms.k12.nc.us
sarahm.lichtenberg@cms.k12.nc.us
i-Ready Updates
If you have students who need to be added to i-Ready in between submission windows, please read the November Principal Memo and complete the form linked HERE.
If you have questions or need support please reach out to Heather Anderson or Shontilia Guy.
Math Intervention: Dreambox
Written Expression Intervention-Orton Gillingham
- Staff members who have completed OG Intermediate training have the ability to complete the Writing and Grammar course (webinar available via OG Interactive site under Digital Downloads that participants are given access to for one year after training). See pic below!
- The Writing and Grammar manual instruction can be used as an intervention for Written Expression on the Standard Treatment Protocol. (What Works Clearinghouse Recommendation #2, the Self-Regulated Strategy Development, OG Intermediate lessons, and EL Skills Blocks lessons for transcription will continue to be options for WE interventions on the Standard Treatment Protocol).
Trauma Informed- Opportunity for Training
We currently have a great opportunity for any staff member to attend a Trauma Informed Support session. The 1 hour session will be December 7 from 3:30-4:30. This session is open to anyone whether or not you have previously attended any Resilience Training.
The Flyer linked HERE provides additional information on the session.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Heather Anderson (heather.norman@cms.k12.nc.us)
Critical Component: Data Evaluation
Progress Monitoring: aimswebPlus
MTSS: Advanced aimswebPlus Progress Monitoring Training (Webinar)
This advanced training is intended for school staff who have been designated as their schools train the trainer. In addition, as a prerequisite, participants should have completed the train the trainer professional development series. This is a train the trainer model.
Dates Offered: 1/13/2022
MyTalent #: 423756 Length of PD: 1.5 hours
Progress Monitoring: DIBELS
Please review the DIBELS 4th/5th grade memo.
Progress monitor your K-5 students in literacy using DIBELS measures. The corresponding measures are noted on the Standard Treatment Protocol. (If you have already started an intervention using an aimsweb Plus literacy measure, you may leave it in place until plan review. If the literacy plan continues, then change to a DIBELS literacy measure if the plan continues).
Have DIBELS questions? See the CMS DIBELS FAQ.
Here is the zoom link on upcoming virtual office hours (8:30-9:30 and 4-5) on data reports on 1/31/22.
ECATS-Intervention Documention
ECATS is the required platform to document supplemental and intensive interventions for academics and behavior.
Core strengthening plans will be documented in the School Improvement Plan rather than in ECATS, as the MTSS is our school improvement framework.
For ECATS PD, you can sign up for:
- Self-paced ECATS Canvas course, MyTalent# 445291 If you would like a student to practice with on the demo site please complete the following google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca762Nj6iczVRVtSeQz7rJjTO85RwS2udnb1SXMSBtmXAoFw/viewform
- Live ECATS training (virtual), MyTalent# 423591
Need Data Support?
Specialists 2021-2022
Please reach out for any MTSS Support you may need from your school's Specialist!
MTSS Elementary Specialists
Ryan Bell
Chris Causebrook
Sarah Lichtenberg
Morgan Murphy
Agatha Ratulowski
MTSS K-8 Specialist
Heather Anderson
MTSS Secondary Specialists
Shontilia Guy
Anasya Turner
SEL Specialist
Carrie Huberty
Core Behavior Specialists
Central 1: Edwin Wilson and David Spellmon
Central 2: Chris Roberts
Northeast: Jacqueline Peterson
Northwest: LaCiana Rozier
Southeast: Francy Yubely Zolke
Southwest: Alexander Denham