- How is what you do similar to or different from MTSS?
Our center has been aligned with national practices (pbis.org) and federal guidelines (ESSA, 2015) for more than 7 years regarding the integration of RtI and PBIS within a multitiered framework, or MTSS. This idea is not new and often introducing something as “new” creates confusion and initiative abandonment. If your school or district has been trained by our office, you have been ahead of this new push by the state department and you are already implementing MTSS. The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 has required this for 7 years already. - Are these supports evidence-based?
Yes, as researchers, we translate and disseminate evidence-based practices and supports. We focus heavily on the research-to-practice gap and making sure supports provided and efficient, affordable and feasible. This requires us to dig to the root of the problem and sometimes focus on systems and structures contributing to a problem. - Can classroom teachers implement these supports?
Yes! Most prevention and targeted intervention supports our center provides access to can or should be implemented by classroom teachers. For example, school-wide bullying prevention programs, screening for targeted needs and small group sessions on conflict resolution. We also focus heavily on collaboration and interconnecting the right practitioners at the right time in the right way, identifying areas of miscommunication and redundancy and working hard to overcome both. - Are these supports feasible?
Yes! Many technical assistance providers and research centers provide training without coaching. Current research centers ongoing coaching throughout the implementation processes with regular fidelity assessment and data-based decision making. We work to translate research and policy work into practices that are feasible at your state, school or district.