Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Summer (2018) EDUC 5545 John J. Hoover, Ph. D. University of Colorado Boulder 2018 John J. Hoover

Topical Areas Addressed In this Presentation What is an effective MTSS program? How is MTSS different from previous models? What are general educator responsibilities in MTSS? What are key features of MTSS for Els? What are a few select instructional best practices within MTSS? 2018 John J. Hoover 2

Where we have been and Where we are today 1980s-Response to Treatment (RTT) 1990s-Response to Instruction (RTI) 2000s-Response to Intervention (RTI) 2010s-Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) Present-Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) 2018 John J. Hoover

A Multi-Tiered System of Support What is an effective MTSS Framework? 2018 John J. Hoover

Multi-Tiered System of Support A Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) is a contemporary framework that enables schools to establish structures and practices for providing all learners with the supports they need to succeed in the classroom (Hoover & Soltero-Gonzalez, 2018) MTSS incorporates both response to intervention (RTI) and positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS Goal School use of resources to enable every child to be successful, accomplished by: Being prevention oriented: knowing who needs support as early as possible each year and putting those supports in place         Implementing evidence-based interventions for all students and tailoring interventions based on student needs Using progress monitoring data to know when to make a change in instruction 2018 John J. Hoover

Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Adopts MTSS Combines Elements of RTI and PBIS into one system: 1. Shared Leadership to support collaborative input and decision-making 2. Data-Based to frame instructional, referral, and placement decision-making 3. Multi-Tiered Continuum to deliver layered, timely instruction that increases in intensity and duration as struggles become evident 4. Evidence-Based Practice grounding instruction, assessment, and decision-making 5. Universal Screening and Monitoring designed to measure growth and progress of learners who are struggling on a more frequent basis (e.g., weekly, monthly, etc.) 6. Family, School, Community Engagement to create collaborative MTSS with families, educators, and community members Source: Hoover & Teeters (in press). 2018 John J. Hoover

Two Concerns Contributed to Rise of MTSS Concern 1—The increase in the number of students placed in special education for a reading or language learning disability, particularly ELs Concern 2—The questionable validity of using special education assessment process for identifying needs, especially IQ achievement discrepancy for determining a learning disability 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS Features Multi-tiered, problem-solving approach that addresses academic (RTI) and behavioral needs of students (PBIS) It is an integrated school model that is often standards-driven and attempts to incorporate both prevention and intervention 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS/Three-Tiered Instruction 3rd Tier 2nd Tier 1st Tier Intensive/ Spec Ed 1-5% Supplemental assistance, as part of general education support system 15-20% Research-based instruction in general education Classroom 80-85% 2018 John J. Hoover

What facilitates School-Wide MTSS Success? Integrated use of RBC, EBI, DI MTSS is Total Education in School Aligned Tier 1 and 2 Instruction Administrative/MTSS Team Support MTSS Success Factors Clearly Defined Data Based Decision-Making Instruction and Assessment with Fidelity 2018 John J. Hoover

How MTSS differs from previous models? MTSS Models How MTSS differs from previous models? 2018 John J. Hoover

Transitioning from Prereferral to MTSS Models MTSS requires change in how we view teaching and learning 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS - Prereferral Comparison MTSS Framework Prereferral Model Grounded in Gen. Ed. Cur. Grounded in Intrinsic Disorders Screen all learners Screening not completed for all Evidence-based practice RBC/EBI not required Achievement discrepancy Learning Potential discrepancy Progress monitoring Infrequent monitoring CBM assessment Norm referenced assessment Prevention Wait to Fail Quality of instruction Intrinsic learner problems 2018 John J. Hoover

Viewing Learners who Struggle within MTSS Overarching curriculum decision-making implication: How we think about the interaction between curriculum implementation and progress of struggling learners 2018 John J. Hoover

Viewing Learners who Struggle within MTSS Lack of progress is viewed from a new perspective in MTSS: In what ways are learners’ struggles related to how the curriculum is being implemented? In what ways are learners’ struggles related to expectations about the curriculum being implemented? How might we adjust the curriculum implementation to improve student progress? 2018 John J. Hoover 16

Know your Curriculum!!! All classroom teachers must possess working knowledge of the: Purposes Validity Processes associated with implementing curriculum within MTSS 2018 John J. Hoover

Curriculum Effectiveness = MTSS Success Underlying Premise: “Successful school-wide MTSS models are grounded in the implementation of the daily curriculum with fidelity” 2018 John J. Hoover

Evidence-Based Practice Research-based curriculum (RBC): Comprehensive General Education Curriculum Evidence-based interventions (EBI): Structured interventions to support implementation of RBC RBC and EBI work together to deliver effective curriculum in MTSS 2018 John J. Hoover

Evidence-Based Practice: Teaching Matters: Explicit Instruction (video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APyvwPzxZ7I Discuss how your instruction incorporates the framework in the video when teaching: 1-students with disabilities 2-students who struggle 3-ELs 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS Models Educator roles in MTSS 2018 John J. Hoover

Educator Responsibilities Know the Functions of Each MTSS Tier Tier 1 - Research-based Core curriculum provided to all learners Tier 2 – Supplemental instruction provided to struggling learners, aligned with and in addition to Tier 1 Tier 3 – Intensive interventions and/or curricula provided to students with significant educational needs, including students with disabilities 2018 John J. Hoover

Educator Responsibilities General Education Classroom Teachers 1. Implement Tier 1 instruction with fidelity 2. Progress monitor/Chart results 3. Differentiate/Adjust instruction appropriately 4. Confirm fidelity of Tier 1 instruction 5. Assist to align Tiers 1 and 2 Instruction 2018 John J. Hoover

Educator Responsibilities Selecting Appropriate Intervention Learner Expectations Typically Found in Curriculum and Assessment Development in Today’s schools A_____________________B_____________________C Language/Background Delivery Assessment A-Expectation that learner possesses needed language skills/background B-Expectation that student best learns the way curriculum is delivered C-Expectation that student best demonstrates progress the way it is assessed QUESTIONS: Do all students meet these expectations? If not, how is instruction adjusted? If not, how are curriculum-based measurements adjusted? 2018 John J. Hoover

Educator Responsibilities Effective Multi-Level instruction Maintains Instructional and Assessment Fidelity Practitioners must confirm that implementation fidelity exists to ensure that appropriate instruction occurs 2018 John J. Hoover

Effects of Lack of Fidelity? If curriculum implementation lacks fidelity then Progress scores are questionable leading to Unnecessary/inappropriate adjustments often contributing to Mistakenly believing that lack of progress is indicative of a disability 2018 John J. Hoover

Confirming Fidelity of Instructional Implementation is Essential in MTSS Ways to Confirm Fidelity Direct Confirmation: Observations Peer Co-Teaching In-Class Coaching Indirect Confirmation: Self-Reporting Interviews 2018 John J. Hoover

Educator Responsibilities Underlying MTSS Decision-Making Assumption MTSS presumes that if a child does not make adequate progress with research-based interventions, he/she may have an internal deficit (e.g., learning disability) (Klingner & Bianco, 2006) * * * * * * * * However, to assume an internal deficit, instruction must be responsive and appropriate to student needs AND BE DELIVERED IN A WAY THAT AVOIDS MISINTERPRETING LEARNING DIFFERENCES/LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AS LEARNING, LANGUAGE OR BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS Effectiveness with ELs? MTSS Models MTSS Effectiveness with ELs? 2018 John J. Hoover

What Makes MTSS Culturally and Linguistically Responsive? 4 Major Themes Cultural Context - Contextualize learning by building on and valuing students’ cultural values and norms in curriculum implementation Linguistic Context - Developing linguistic competence through functional, purposeful classroom dialogue Accommodations - Differentiate instruction to reflect communication styles and diverse community practices into the curriculum Cognitively Challenging - Emphasizes higher order thinking in teaching and learning (Hoover & Soltero-Gonzalez, 2018) 2018 John J. Hoover

MTSS Represents New Opportunities for CLD Learners with and without Disabilities Improves opportunities through culturally and linguistically responsive education (Klingner & Edwards, 2006) Reduces biased Instructional and diagnostic decision-making (Hoover & Klingner, 2011) Assists in clarifying Difference/Acquisition from Disability (Hoover, Baca, & Klingner, 2016) Reduces disproportionate representation in special education of CLD learners (Hoover & deBettencourt, 2017) 2018 John J. Hoover

Implementation of Best Practice Select Interventions Effective in MTSS 1 Reciprocal Teaching (Reading) 2. Cognitive guided instruction (CGI) (Math) 3. Self-regulated learning (Writing) 4. Classwide Peer Tutoring (Reading/Math) 5. Peer assisted learning strategies (PALS) (Reading/Math) 6. Fernald multisensory approach (Reading) 7. Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) 8. Focus correction areas writing strategy (Writing) 9. Peer Revising Strategy (Writing) (J. J. Hoover, Linking Assessment with Instruction (2012) 2018 John J. Hoover