By Jennifer Glasheen, NDMTSS Director
North Dakota’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (NDMTSS) is a framework designed through the lens of continuous improvement to guide school districts, schools, and all educators to ensure each and every student has access to learning experiences that enhance their educational outcomes. Our mission is to empower schools to support and prepare ND students for success!
If MTSS is everything, where do we start?
Much of the work that we do with schools and educators is around helping them LEARN what MTSS is/isn’t; EMPOWER them to effectively make data-based decisions; and to GROW outcomes for both students and educators. Sounds simple, right?! But what we have found is that this foundational learning is essential, takes time, and results in the clarity needed to ensure we are all talking about the same things... Read the rest of the article here!
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ND School Journey Stories | |
Oak Grove Elementary School is in the third year of their MTSS journey and presented on their experiences as a small school at the NDMTSS conference last June. In their first year, Oak Grove formed their MTSS team and attended the "Building Your System" training which focused on both academics and behavior (no longer offered). In their second year, they separated behavior and academics into two tracks with fall, winter, and spring goals.
Oak Grove's behavior goals for their second year included developing expectations (3-4 words), administering a student survey for grades 2-5, communicating with stakeholders, and using a behavior data collection tool. At the end of the year, Oak Grove evaluated both successes and things to work on. One of their successes was creating simplified common language while one of their challenges was the timing of their culture surveys (too late).
Their behavior goals for the current school year (year 3 of MTSS journey) split into Tier 1 goals and Tier 2 goals. Tier 1 goals include: teacher-led lesson plans to support Tier 1 expectations and common area routines teaching tools. Tier 2 goals include: analyzing data for Tier 2 intervention planning 3x/year and implementing Tier 2 interventions/progress monitoring.
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Oak Grove began their focus on academics by adding an academic interventionist position. After evaluating their first year academic journey, one of their successes was creating a pathway to guide academic decision making in reading while one challenge was changing the schedule to better provide support opportunities. In year two, Oak Grove attended "Evaluating Your System" training, rolled out Fastbridge, and added data days to weekly PLC time. One success they identified was their Fastbridge implementation for reading (screening, diagnostics, intervention, progress monitoring). One challenge they identified was ensuring that all teams were using interventions, progress monitoring, and data. Their Tier 1 goals for the current school year (year 3) include more Fastbridge training and scheduling more MTSS team data, walk through, and data share out days. Oak Grove's Tier 2 goals are to determine interventions for math and to complete the academic pathway for math. Access Oak Grove's conference presentation here. | |
Check out some of the highlights from December in-person trainings! | |
NDMTSS Foundations: System Change & Refinement
This month, teams learned about the problem-solving model and RIOT/ICEL to evaluate their schoolwide data and determine their areas of strengths and growth. They also focused on the topic of instructional hierarchy and high leverage practices to develop schoolwide standards of practice to implement with all students and staff.
Special shoutout to this group for their flexibility! North Dakota winter weather returned with a vengeance, so we had to switch from an in-person day to a virtual day. Despite the weather, there were great conversations around current data and the need for more data all with the focus of making their systems more effective and efficient.
Who was there?
Milnor | Tioga | New England | Mandaree High School | North Star
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Tier 2 Positive Behavior Intervention Supports
Teams continued to work through their behavior data in December. They also shared ideas on how to report out data to all stakeholders in an effort to meet students where they are and to encourage social and emotional growth with check-in, check-out and social skills.
All participating teams in this cohort are from the same district which led to rich conversation around how to make things more consistent with data and reporting to help students grow. This also discussed how to consistently communicate with parents regarding ongoing progress.
Who was there?
Louis L'Amour Elementary (Jamestown) | Washington Elementary (Jamestown) | Roosevelt Elementary (Jamestown)
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This month, we're highlighting the Essential Components page on our website. This page provides a brief description of the 5 essential components of MTSS:
- Assessment
- Data-Based Decision Making
- Multi-Tiered Instruction
- Infrastructure & Support Mechanisms
- Fidelity & Evaluation
Each box leads to more in-depth information including an overview, statement on why it is essential to MTSS, and a link to additional resources.
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Winter Break Resources for Elementary, Secondary, and Educators
Discover CharacterStrong's Winter Break Resources centered on empathy—designed to support elementary and secondary students, as well as educators. These resources include engaging classroom activities in English and Spanish, inspiring connection, kindness, and giving back during the holiday season. Educators can also find tools to recharge and reflect, fostering self-care and community ahead of winter break. Bring the spirit of empathy into your classroom and staffroom with these meaningful, easy-to-use activities!
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Daily Highlights & Sticky Note System
Looking to implement a system to help your students feel seen and appreciated? Check out this two minute video on two low-burden, high-impact systems from CharacterStrong!
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IEP Tip Sheet Series
This series of tip sheets introduce key components of the individualized education program (IEP). They include brief summaries of federal regulations, tips for implementation, and resources. Check with your state for additional requirements.
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Stories from the Classroom: Finding Belonging
In this video, Xuan Truong reflects upon how difficult school was for her as a student with a disability. She shared how she felt isolated and as if she was on the outside looking at a world that seemed inaccessible to her, until someone included her in a significant and meaningful way. Having key figures in her life to point out that she was capable made all the difference.
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To help facilitate reflection and discussion using this video, explore the finding belonging discussion guide or quick guide. The quick guide can be used if you have about 15 minutes to view the video and facilitate a discussion. The discussion guide can be used for a longer and more in-depth discussion. | |
Specially Designed Services (SPED) Courses - ND Ed Hub
The ND Educational Hub has a catalog of free courses which go towards CEU hours. We encourage you to peruse the list of courses.
Course Highlights
Difference vs. Disability
It's all Related
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