 Mid-Year Refresh and Reset
The return to school after the holidays is a time to reflect, assess and reset the focus. As MTSS teams meet, new data are available for academic, behavioral and social-emotional considerations and planning. At this time in the year, school and district teams should be in the routine of meeting, reviewing school wide/district wide data and making data-based decisions for MTSS implementation.
As a part of the process, MTSS teams facilitate the implementation of universal screening and progress monitoring procedures. This issue provides tools, resources and actions to consider in this season.
Second Round Universal Screening
Many schools are in the process of administering and analyzing the second round of universal screening data. Universal screening identifies students at risk of poor learning outcomes who need additional support or exhibit challenging behaviors. These types of assessments are generally quick, cost effective and have data collection systems for longitudinal data analysis.
Universal screening data are used to determine the effectiveness of the Tier 1 core instruction. Generally, this means that Tier 1 core instruction is meeting the needs of 80% or more of the students. A solid, effective core is fundamental to the success of MTSS and requires significant attention in the process.
According to the American Institute of Research (AIR), the following conditions are recommended for universal screening:
- Select a set of valid and reliable screening measures for academic, behavior and social-emotional screening that is conducted for all students (i.e., is universal);
- Establish procedures to ensure implementation accuracy (i.e., all students are tested, scores are accurate, cut points/decisions are accurate); and
- Ensure a screening process occurs for all students more than once per year (e.g., fall, winter, spring).
Administering consistent and continuous universal screenings and reviewing student performance gives educators a means to identify those students making adequate progress, students requiring additional assistance and students at high risk of failure without specialized support.
Along with the universal screening process, the MTSS framework needs to regularly monitor students who are at an elevated academic or behavioral risk. Screening is just the start. Progress monitoring ensures that students continue to receive interventions at a level of intensity matched to their developing needs.
For more information on universal screening:
Revisit the PBIS Framework
After any break, it is best practice to revisit the PBIS framework and provide the students with a refresher regarding the rules, routines and expectations. If your school does not have a PBIS system, now is the time for the team to plan for the 2023-2024 school year.
Here are some suggestions to assist the MTSS Team with a PBIS refresher:
- Plan to reteach schoolwide and classroom expectations;
- Re-establish predictable routines and procedures;
- Use existing data collection system to monitor and drive decisions; and
- Rebuild connections, and reestablish a positive greeting when welcoming students back into the learning space.
For further information on PBIS:
 New Year, New Tool
The new year is a great time to reflect and reset the work of the MTSS Team in your school and district.
One way is to assess the status of the team’s work and create an action plan for implementation. The KyMTSS Self-Assessment Tool is located on the www.kymtss.org website under the Resource Library. The tool is intended to support district and school leaders and teams responsible for MTSS implementation.
The tool is aligned with Kentucky’s six essential elements and uses the essential elements to drive systematic change. Additionally, the tool is intended to assist with resource identification and action planning for MTSS implementation.
As your team reflects and resets, the KyMTSS Self-Assessment Tool and KyMTSS Implementation Guide serve as beneficial resources for moving forward in 2023.
 Regional Support for KyMTSS
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) partners with the eight regional educational cooperatives to provide training, follow-up support and coaching on creating, building and sustaining an integrated multi-tiered system of supports (KyMTSS). Exciting work is underway at the cooperatives as they meet the needs of the districts and schools in their regions. Please refer to the chart below for the regional MTSS Point of Contacts.
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Cooperative
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MTSS Point of Contact
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CRRSA Coordinator
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Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative
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Mark Helton
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Mark Helton
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Green River Regional Educational Cooperative
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Cassie Zenner
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Cassie Zenner and Steven Moats
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Kentucky Educational Development Corporation
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Jordan Letcher-Williams
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Abby Laber
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Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative
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Bronna Francis
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Johnny Belcher
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Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services
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Jessica Pass
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Jessica Pass
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Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative
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Chrissy Jones and Susan Robertson
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Lisa Smith
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Southeast South-Central Educational Cooperative
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Renee Hibbard
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Renee Hibbard
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West Kentucky Educational Cooperative
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Wendy Sullenger
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Christy Phelps
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KyMTSS Newsletter Archive
Did you miss the last KyMTSS Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the newsletter on the KyMTSS Newsletter Archive webpage.
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