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 May 20, 2021
Welcome to the KyMTSS Newsletter, a resource where Kentucky stakeholders can find information, tips and resources around the systems, data and practices of an integrated multi-tiered system of supports.
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What is Kentucky’s Framework for a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?
Kentucky’s statewide multi-tiered system of supports (KyMTSS) framework is defined as a multi-level prevention system to support student achievement and social-emotional behavioral competencies through an integration of differentiated core instruction, assessment and intervention.
Six elements have been identified as essential to the implementation, improvement and sustainability of Kentucky’s framework for an effective multi-tiered system of supports:
- An intentional commitment to equity embedded into all elements of the framework.
- A tiered delivery system built upon the foundation of strong universal instruction (Tier1) with an intensification of intervention and supports aligned with grade-level academic standards, positive behavioral expectations and core social-emotional competences.
- Collaborative problem-solving teams at all levels of the system and across all tiers.
- Data-based decision-making and a coordinated screening and assessment system that provides relevant and useful data to inform instructional and programmatic decisions at the system and student levels.
- Evidence-based instruction, interventions and supports.
- Family, school and community partnerships.
KyMTSS Promotes an Integrated Systems Framework
KyMTSS provides an organizational framework for the integration of academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports for all students. All too often, academic and behavioral supports are implemented in silos or parallel systems that work independently of each other. Each initiative might have separate teaming structures, data systems and practices.
Academic Response To Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and integrated school mental health frameworks share many common features. They focus on the universal teaching of all students; the provision of a continuum of supports; the use of data for programmatic decisions, progress monitoring and evaluation; and rely on the use of evidence-based practices. KyMTSS promotes strategic integration through leveraging and enhancing existing systems based on each school and district’s unique circumstances and needs.
In their book, "Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Blending RTI and PBIS," Kent McIntosh and Steve Goodman (2016) identify several general paths that schools can take when integrating their systems. For example, schools with academic RTI and PBIS operating as two parallel systems or for schools ready to add a new system to an existing RTI or PBIS framework, the integrated KyMTSS model can be developed using the existing system(s) and expanding the scope. For schools without an academic or behavior system strongly in place, a plan for adoption of a fully integrated model can be designed right from the start.
Featured Resources: Integration and Alignment of Teams
Whenever a new initiative is introduced to a school, district, region or state, the general approach is to “form a team or committee” to develop a plan for implementation. Even though the initiative may be worthwhile, efforts are often a struggle because of several challenges:
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Few resources, staff, time, etc.;
- Duplication of effort with other initiatives and efforts;
- Lack of clarity regarding purpose and outcomes;
- Lack of priority; and/or
- Initiative overload.
The alignment of initiatives and teams is an essential step to bring separate initiatives and innovations together under one unified system of supports. One way to strategically implement an integrated teaming structure within a MTSS framework is to conduct an inventory of existing teams and initiatives.
The goal of consolidating teams with the same or similar functions is to build efficiency in the problem-solving process; thus, the MTSS framework becomes an effective way to organize existing and future initiatives for continuous district and school improvement.
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Quick Links
KyMTSS.org
KyMTSS Overview
Why KyMTSS?
Identify District MTSS Coordinator Role in People Manager
In order to better communicate future MTSS guidance and resources to districts, the MTSS coordinator position has been created and is available in Open House. It is imperative that districts identify an individual to serve as their local coordinator.
Please work with your local web application administrator point of contact (WAAPOC) to set the appropriate contacts through the Web Security Administrator (WSA) application (sometimes called People Manager). To make changes, log into the web application tool and select the Web Security Administrator – WSA (or People Manager) link. You can find district WAAPOCs listed in the Open House School and District directory.
Please Note: Changes to access (group membership) made in WSA will update Open House immediately, which allows you to double check the appropriate contacts and email addresses.
KyMTSS Spotlight
Would you like to share a MTSS experience, success or challenge you have overcome?
In upcoming issues, we would like to feature the work that is happening across the state. MTSS coordinators or school and district staff may submit their story using this .
Newly Added Resource
"Including Voice in Education: Addressing Equity Through Student and Family Voice in Classroom Learning" (Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific, 2020)
This resource offers strategies for embedding student and family voice into the classroom to drive equitable outcomes.
Upcoming Trainings
FREE 2021 Summer Virtual Behavior Institute: June 16-18, 2021
The Kentucky Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (KY-CCBD) is offering virtual professional learning to share research and evidence-based practices for increasing student engagement and decreasing negative behaviors. The sessions will support improved academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health outcomes for all students. Sessions are 1.5 hours with a 30-minute break between sessions.
The 2021 Summer Virtual Behavior Institute will focus on prevention and intervention strategies for supporting students with emotional-behavioral disorders, challenging behaviors and for those impacted negatively by the realities of the 2020-2021 school year.
The sessions will embed proactive and preventative strategies. Registration is available for the 2021 Summer Virtual Behavior Institute online.
CONTACT INFORMATION
mtss@education.ky.gov
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