Successful MTSS implementation pilot program to be expanded for fall 2015

The Orange County Department of Education will once again offer an innovative series of workshops designed to help schools facilitate the implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports, or MTSS, beginning in fall 2015.

For the uninitiated, MTSS is a comprehensive framework that many schools are using to address each student’s academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs.

This support system relies on staff collaboration and data-driven decision-making to help students both in and out of the classroom. In addition to providing high-quality instruction and interventions based on student need, it uses data to allocate resources and calls for regular checks to determine whether the assistance is working and what changes or follow-ups are necessary.

In the spring of 2015, OCDE piloted MTSS workshops at the Anaheim Union High, Buena Park and Lowell Joint school districts. Dr. Michelle Duda, an expert implementation consultant and coach since 2008, helped the leadership teams from those diverse districts explore the systems and processes that ensure MTSS is implemented correctly — and will be sustainable.

Participating districts learned the stages of implementation, collaborated to evaluate their current practices, created a shared vision, determined roles and responsibilities, and began to build an action plan.

If you’d like to participate in the upcoming series or get more information, contact OCDE’s Hillary Wolfe at hwolfe@ocde.us or 714-966-4401.