Kentucky’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (KyMTSS)

Over the next few months, the KyMTSS newsletter will highlight one of the six essential elements of the KyMTSS framework. Our focus for August is Collaborative Problem-Solving Teams.

KyMTSS Essential Element: Collaborative Problem-Solving Teams 

Collaborative problem-solving teams within Kentucky’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (KyMTSS) exist at multiple implementation levels – district, school, classroom  and student – and across all three tiers. Teams include key stakeholders and are representative of the students and community they serve. Teams are integrated, interconnected and aligned for a common purpose to promote positive academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes for all students. Within the KyMTSS framework, a strategic alignment and integration of teams is essential to bring separate initiatives and innovations together under one unified system of supports. 

MTSS district and school leadership teams craft a clear vision that prioritize the whole child and reflects the interconnected academic, behavioral and social-emotional domains of learning. These leadership teams continuously analyze system and student outcome data, examine instructional and intervention practices, and assess the effectiveness of the multi-tiered system to ensure that improvement efforts move forward. The MTSS leadership team actively facilitates the installation, implementation, management and communication of the integrated MTSS framework as part of a continuous improvement process. 

Grade level/content area teams manage and implement evidence-based academic, behavior and social-emotional learning practices for students within their specific grade or content area. Teacher teams work collaboratively to clarify the essential learning and skills students must master, the level of rigor and what constitutes proficiency, and the prerequisite skills and knowledge necessary for students to be successful. They use student outcome data to increase consistency across classrooms and facilitate collaboration in problem-solving.  

Student-level teams focus on the needs of individual students who require a more intensive level of support. This is often a core multidisciplinary team with other members added as needed to meet the unique needs of the student. The team’s focus is to develop, implement and monitor the student’s individualized intervention and supports.  

Featured Resources 

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This 6-hour training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.   

For more information about the course, visit Mental Health First Aid. 

The Kentucky Department of Education Division of School Success, Safe and  Supportive Schools Branch is offering PBIS/ISF training sessions to all school, district and regional cooperative employees. To see all available sessions, dates, intended audiences and to register, visit Registration 2021 PBIS/ISF Training Sessions. 

Effective Instructional Leadership Act and Continuing Education Unit credits are available for each session. 

For more information or to request training, email Rachel Njenga.