This month we begin a SWIFT Unscripted three-part series recorded at Bakersfield City School District, a California MTSS Knowledge Development Site. First up is “Using SWIFT-FIA to Bring About Continuous Improvement”—an interview with Dr. Tim Fulenwider, Director of Instructional Support Services and Ms. Lemuel Kwon, Principal at Casa Loma Elementary. Fulenwider describes how SWIFT-FIA became "a valuable tool and a resource for principals and teachers in the community to really take ownership and have an impact on the direction of the school." Together Kwon and Fulenwider tell the story of how they used the tool to engage school leaders in reflective conversations about their current stage of MTSS implementation, and how these conversations strengthened their school plans for the future.
SWIFT Unscripted is a monthly podcast featuring guests from among the SWIFT community. A transcript link for each SWIFT Unscripted podcast is available at the end of its description. You can listen on SoundCloud or iTunes , or visit the SWIFT Unscripted page to download the podcast to your computer.
Revisit Dr. Amy McCart’s SWIFT Talk to learn more about important conversations that transform whole schools to meet the needs of all students through MTSS. McCart lays out some simple questions for school leaders to begin thinking about how they can provide education for all students in one system.
Do you like to write and have a story to share about equity, MTSS, or inclusive education? SWIFT welcomes submissions that advance the practice of equity, excellence, and All Means All. Click here for submission guidelines.
Resources
The recent update to SWIFT-FIA includes new helpful planning features. This free, downloadable resource is a fillable form, which allows teams to use check boxes to mark item components they have in place, and a notes field for documenting key discussion points for future reference. In addition, the scoring instructions explain how to view results as proportion of items in each stage of implementation (as shown above) and a list of items in each stage. This view of the results helps teams in their planning decisions—whether a they want to build on a strength by taking actions to move an item from a “2” implementing stage to a “3” sustaining implementation stage; or to begin something new by working to move an item from “0” laying the foundation stage to a “1” installing stage. Check out SWIFT-FIA at SWIFT Shelf or on SWIFT Guide.
Copyright SWIFT Education Center, 2018. Permission is granted to share and reprint. Please cite as SWIFT News, July, 2018; Issue 56. Lawrence, KS: SWIFT Education Center
