The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) MTSS Practice Profile was developed to provide a common definition for MTSS across the state and to clearly define standards or expectations for what MTSS should look like in practice. It also provides a summary of the research in support of each MTSS component.
The practice profile identifies five essential components of MTSS:
- Team-Based Leadership
- Tiered Delivery System (Tiers 1-3)
- Selection and Implementation of Instruction, Interventions, and Supports
- Comprehensive Screening and Assessment System
- Continuous Data-Based Decision Making
The MDE MTSS Practice Profile provides districts and ISDs with guidance for implementation of MTSS as indicated in Michigan’s state law. It was developed to specify the actions of a district implementation team in supporting effective and sustained use of the MTSS framework.
It is important to note that MTSS is a framework, and the framework is only as good as the evidence-based practices, programs, and assessments encompassed within it. For that reason, it is necessary for a district to determine which usable, evidence-based practices will be implemented at the school level through the district’s MTSS framework.
The MDE MTSS Practice Profile was developed for the purpose of defining and providing guidance on the essential components of MTSS; it was not developed to be a valid and reliable assessment tool. To assess the strength of district infrastructure to support implementation of an MTSS framework, consider using the District Capacity Assessment (DCA).
Teams often find success administering the District Capacity Assessment to monitor their district's progress and then use the MDE MTSS Practice Profile to determine the action steps needed to improve capacity to support MTSS.