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November/December, 2021
Volume 2, Issue 2
Welcome to this edition of the Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MiMTSS) newsletter. Each edition keeps you up to date about the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) efforts to support effective implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Please share this newsletter and subscribe at MDE Email Lists, to keep informed of all the latest MiMTSS information.
MiMTSS Early Childhood PBIS Model Demonstration Project
MiMTSS Early Childhood State Team has adopted an initiative to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) focusing on early childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This evidence-based practice is often referred to as Early Childhood Program-Wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (EC PW-PBIS) or, more simply, the Pyramid Model. The program-wide implementation approach ensures that programs are attending to both the implementation of evidence-based practices and the development of the infrastructure to support the durable implementation of those practices.
Four Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) sites were chosen to participate in this project: Wyandotte Early childhood Center (Wayne RESA), Shelby Early Childhood Center (West Shore ISD), West Branch 4’s at Surline Elementary (COOR ISD) and Monroe ISD at Sodt Early Childhood Center. These sites are receiving professional learning and technical assistance from the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center. These sites will contribute to the early childhood field as they help the state establish replicable programs that can be sustained.
Common Vocabulary for Systems Work
Feedback from ISDs/ESAs, districts, schools, and statewide groups indicated a need for common vocabulary for systems work in Michigan to minimize confusion and increase coherence. Vocabulary from all the primary systems work was considered, including Implementation Science, Blueprint, MTSS, Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), MDE Way of Work, and others used nationally. MDE, MiMTSS TA Center, the Statewide Field Team, and State Implementation and Scaling-up of Evidenced-based Practices (SISEP)/National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) reached agreement on the list. Where there are differences currently used by a system, the transition to the recommended vocabulary will include explaining the new vocabulary in context. Much of the recommended common vocabulary is already present in the MICIP process used by 98% of the districts in the state. The Common Vocabulary for Systems Work can be found on the MICIP website under Resources, MDE Resources, Guides/Tools. The Systemic Supports Leadership Team is currently in the process of identifying definitions for each of the terms and will update the document when that process is complete.
State Capacity Assessment on MTSS Informs and Guides MDE's MiMTSS Leadership Team
MDE's MiMTSS Leadership Team coordinates MDE's efforts to support educators' effective implementation of MTSS with fidelity so that all learners can be successful. Like Local Education Agencies (LEA), completing a fidelity assessment at the school level and the District Capacity Assessment at the district level regularly are critical activities to inform continuous improvement of MTSS implementation. In this vein, the MDE MiMTSS Leadership Team conducts a State Capacity Assessment (SCA) annually and updates state action plans quarterly to improve MDE’s MTSS support to educators across the state. Three state MTSS priorities this year are to: 1.) increase the use of data through an equity lens to inform action planning, 2.) improve communications including gathering and using internal/external staff feedback to inform action planning and 3.) continue to differentiate MTSS professional learning opportunities for MDE staff and Michigan educators.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Have you signed up to receive email alerts on the latest news from the MiMTSS TA Center? If not, head to the listserv signup page to have information about professional learning events delivered straight to your mailbox. You can also visit the MiMTSS TA Center’s event page. Here you will find descriptions of upcoming professional learning events, target audiences for the sessions, dates and times, and links to register.
Is your district exploring, or interested in refining implementation of MTSS to meet the needs of all learners? The MiMTSS TA Center offers a variety of professional development opportunities and resources to support educators in these efforts. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the TA Center has provided 429 professional learning events supporting over 6,338 participants. Our recent annual MTSS conference in August had 760 registrants from 22 states. Currently, you can access over 200 videos to support implementation on the TA Center’s YouTube Channel including recordings of conference sessions.
MiMTSS Technical Assistance Catalog
MDE and the MiMTSS TA Center encourage you to explore the 2021-22 MiMTSS Technical Assistance Catalog. The catalog offers a variety of universally accessible and targeted professional learning topics to ensure learners accelerate outcomes by accessing safe, predictable, and engaging classroom environments. The topics are available for intermediate school districts (ISDs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs), school leadership teams, and teachers. For questions regarding the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Catalog, contact Melissa Nantais at mnantais@mimtss.org.
MiMTSS Data System
Has your district signed up to use the MiMTSS Data System? The MiMTSS Data System is a free-access, web-based information system designed for Local Education Agencies (LEAs), ISDs, and MDE to gather and analyze data critical for the continuous improvement of MTSS in Michigan. Users can enter capacity assessment data, MTSS fidelity data, and student outcome indicators. Teams can monitor the impact of MTSS implementation on reading and behavior outcomes using dashboards. Thirty-two ISDs, 184 districts, and 39 public school academies are already using the MiMTSS Data System.
MTSS Resources & Supports for MICIP
The MiMTSS TA Center has been working to align with MICIP, including creating resources that will help avoid duplication of efforts. One such example is a new reporting feature within the MiMTSS Data System, allowing districts to download reports specific to MICIP, including a Behavior Data Set (PBIS), a Reading and Engagement Data Set, and a District Capacity Data Set. The reports pull several MTSS data graphs and tables from the MiMTSS Data System into a single file that can be exported as a PDF and then uploaded into the MICIP Platform as data objects in the Whole Child Data Discovery section. Additional resources are also available on the MTSS Supports for MICIP pages on the MiMTSS TA Center website.
Accelerated Learning Webinar Series
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the MiMTSS TA Center held four Accelerated Learning webinars this fall as a continuation of the summer series. Michigan presenters with diverse experiences, with assistance from Michigan educators, presented on the informational guides developed by MDE.
Social Media
Stay up to date with announcements from the MiMTSS TA Center by following on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MiMTSSTAC and on Twitter @MichiganMTSS.
District: Centreville Public Schools
MTSS Essential Component:
Continuous Data Based Decision Making
Centreville Public Schools, much like other schools, continues to navigate supporting students during the pandemic and maintain our learning in MTSS. We are in our final year of partnership with the MiMTSS TA Center, which has supported us in installing and implementing an integrated MTSS framework. We want to share the success of sustaining our work, especially around the area of data review and continuous improvement. We have been able to accomplish this due in part to the on-going support of our Superintendent, as well as our Board, which has continued to invest in our efforts to develop an MTSS framework in our schools for both behavior and reading. The MiMTSS TA Center has further aided us by meeting us “where we are,” adapting to our schedules and needs, despite the vast barriers the pandemic creates. The commitment of our leadership and the TA Center has held us accountable to maintaining those best practices of implementation, including data review, to continue to move our work forward during these challenging times.
We would like to thank Centreville Public Schools for sharing their experiences from the field.
Want to share an experience with MTSS implementation, an MTSS accomplishment, or MTSS challenge that has been overcome? Submit your story by filling out the Google form.
MDE MiMTSS Website
MiMTSS TA Center
MiMTSS Data System
Practice Profile
MICIP
EWIMS
Contact Us: MDE-MTSS@michigan.gov
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To learn more about how your organization can contribute to the success of an effective MTSS implementation or how MDE can support your
efforts, visit the MiMTSS website. |
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