District MTSS

The MDE MTSS Practice Profile was developed to specify the actions of a District Implementation Team (DIT) in supporting effective and sustained use of the MTSS framework. DITs play a critical role in MTSS implementation and are necessary to actively implement the five essential components outlined in the practice profile: Team-Based Leadership, Tiered Delivery System, Selection and Implementation of Instruction, Interventions, and Supports, Comprehensive Screening and Assessment System, and Continuous Data-Based Decision Making. 

The MiMTSS TA Center provides many professional learning opportunities and resources for districts building their capacity to support MTSS implementation in schools. Knowing which technical assistance options to access requires a district to consider its needs, capacity, and goals. Below, districts can find several resources to help them consider and pursue the best path for their context.

Getting Ready for District Implementation Team Installation

District Needs

  • What do the district data patterns in literacy, social-emotional behavioral health (SEBH), and attendance suggest might be areas to consider building capacity related to MTSS?
  • In what areas are staff expressing a need for students or for staff development? If this is unclear, a survey or focus group might be a great place to start!

District Fit

  • What is the district’s vision for MTSS implementation in one year? Five years?
  • What other initiatives or priorities are currently being implemented across the district? How might implementation of MTSS complement this work, conflict with this work, or over-extend staff? If it’s unclear, an Initiative Inventory could be a great place to start!
  • How does MTSS fit with the district’s continuous improvement plan?
  • How does the implementation of MTSS fit with family and community values?

District Capacity

  • What resources (e.g., FTE, personnel, money) can the district allocate to MTSS?
  • What administrative policies/procedures or organizational changes must be made to support the implementation of MTSS?
  • Are district and school leaders knowledgeable about and in support of MTSS?
  • Do staff have the capacity (e.g., time) to implement practices and collect data to inform improvements to the system?
  • What services and supports for MTSS implementation does the ISD offer?

District Coordinator

The district coordinator is responsible for ensuring the district takes the necessary steps to implement and sustain a district-wide MTSS framework. The district coordinator facilitates the development and implementation of district-level processes and procedures to support MTSS in schools. They ensure these systems function effectively by monitoring their use and addressing challenges to school-level implementation. Additionally, they play a critical role in guiding data-driven decision-making and maintaining alignment with the district’s implementation plan to sustain MTSS efforts.

For more information on the full scope of a district coordinator’s responsibilities, please see the District Implementation Team Position Descriptions document.

District Implementation Team

The District Implementation Team (DIT) oversees the development and use of a district implementation infrastructure to support schools in their use of effective innovations (EIs). Primary functions of the DIT include: 

  • Shaping district processes and procedures
  • Engaging in district data analysis to support implementation
  • Ensuring communication amongst groups/teams across the district
  • Ensuring meaningful participation from multiple and diverse perspectives from critical groups and partners

For more information on the full scope of DIT responsibilities, see the District Implementation Team Position Descriptions document and/or review the MTSS Overview page on this website.

District Capacity Assessment

The DCA is an assessment designed to help district leaders and staff better align resources with intended outcomes and develop action plans to support the use of effective innovations. The DCA is completed by the DIT twice per year and facilitated by a trained DCA facilitator. More information can be found on the District Capacity Assessment page.

MiMTSS Data System

The MiMTSS Data System is a free-access web-based data system designed for LEAs, ISDs, and MDE to gather and analyze data that is critical for the continuous improvement of MTSS in Michigan. More information can be found on the MiMTSS Data System page.

The MiMTSS TA Center has several professional learning sessions to meet the needs of teams and individuals in various roles. Sessions are available on an ongoing basis and can be found on the professional learning page.

For District Coordinators

  • MTSS Essential Components
  • District Implementatation Infrastructure
  • Sustaining a District Infrastructure
    • Pre-requisites: District Implementation Infrastructure

For a list of suggested readiness activities and a recommended training sequence for the District Coordinator and the District Implementation Team (DIT), please refer to the Getting Ready for District Implementation Team Installation document.

For District Implementation Teams

  • MTSS Essential Components
  • District Implementatation Infrastructure
  • Sustaining a District Infrastructure
    • Pre-requisites: District Implementation Infrastructure

For a list of suggested readiness activities and a recommended training sequence for the District Coordinator and the District Implementation Team (DIT), please refer to the Getting Ready for District Implementation Team Installation document.

For District Data Coordinators

District data coordination is typically not a unique role but a function fulfilled by individuals in a variety of roles (e.g., District Coordinator, SEBH Coach). Professional learning opportunities specific to district data coordination are outlined below:

District Data Coordination

  • District Capacity Assessment Facilitator
    • Edupaths:
      • District Capacity Assessment Overview
      • Administering the District Capacity Assessment
  • MiMTSS Data System Orientation
  • Creating a Comprehensive Assessment System

Content Area-Specific Data Coordination

The MiMTSS TA Center provides a variety of training opportunities and resources that district staff could participate in to support MTSS data coordination. The opportunities accessed should align with the type of support that the district intends to provide to schools. To learn about professional learning options to support data coordination in a particular content area, please see the Data Tools section on the appropriate pages listed below: 

The MiMTSS TA Center has developed a guidance document for districts that would like to ensure that their MTSS work is aligned with Michigan’s Continuous Improvement process.

District Continuous Improvement: Aligning MTSS Goals and Activities within MICIP Platform

Microlearning

Microlearning is an approach to learning new information in small chunks at a time. Typically, microlearning sessions are under ten minutes and can take as little as one minute to complete. Check out the microlearning opportunities related to District MTSS on the microlearning page of the MiMTSS TA Center’s website. 

On-Demand Courses

Check out the self-paced, on-demand courses offered via the EduPaths page of the MiMTSS TA Center’s website.