ACRONYMS
What does IST stand for?
Instructional Support Team
What is Tier 1 of the MTSS model?
Tier 1 represents the foundational level of support, providing universal instruction and interventions for all students. This tier emphasizes high-quality, research-based core instruction, proactive classroom management, and differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs
What is progress monitoring?
Progress monitoring is the process of regularly tracking and evaluating student performance to assess their progress toward specific learning goals. It involves collecting and analyzing data to determine how students are responding to instruction and whether interventions are effective. This information is used to make informed decisions about instruction and ensure students are on track to meet their goals
Provide one reason why a student may be referred to IST?
A student can be referred to IST if they are not responding to Tier 1 interventions or attempted strategies.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports
What is Tier 2 of the MTSS model? Provide one example of Tier 2 support.
Tier 2 in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) provides targeted interventions for students who haven't responded adequately to Tier 1 (universal) supports. It focuses on small group instruction using evidence-based strategies to address specific skill gaps or behavioral challenges.
AIMSWEB, NWEA
A second grade teacher refers a student to IST. The student requires more support within the classroom compared to peers. This support includes preferential seating, refocusing/redirection prompting during lessons and small group reteaching after most lessons. Once provided such support, the student achieves scores that fall at or above the average range. Should this student be referred to IST?
This student does not need to be referred to IST. The supports being provided by the teacher are included in Tier 1 best practices and the student is responding appropriately.
What does ENL and ELL stand for?
English as a New Language and English Language Learner
What is Tier 3 of the MTSS model? Provide two examples of Tier 3 support.
MTSS Tier 3 represents the most intensive level of support within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, designed for students with severe and persistent academic, social, emotional, or behavioral needs. These interventions are highly individualized and data-driven, involving collaboration among educators, specialists, and families to address specific challenges and accelerate progress.
What are "norms"?
Normative data (or “norms”) are information from a population of interest that establishes a baseline distribution of results for that particular population. Student performance on assessments is assessed against norms to determine how their performance compares to that of their peers.
A IST meets and makes suggestions to have a student begin Tier 2 interventions. How does the team determine if and when they need to reconvene?
The student's progress will be monitored for 6-8 weeks. If the student is achieving satisfactory progress in response to the suggested Tier 2 interventions after the 6-8 week progress monitoring period, the team should document this progress, but the team does not need to reconvene.
What does CSE stand for?
Committee on Special Education
What is the difference between the Response to Intervention (RTI) tiers and the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) tiers?
RTI targets academic interventions for struggling students, while MTSS encompasses a broader approach, addressing academic, as well as behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs for all students.
What kind of data is the most reliable when determining if a student requires more intervention?
Normative data which compares student progress to a national sample of like (same age/grade) peers.
What should an IST consider if a student performs below grade level and is not achieving progress despite being provided 6-8 week intervals of all available Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions?
Referral to the Section 504 Committee or the Committee on Special Education (CSE)
What does NWEA stand for?
North West Evaluation Association
What percentage of students should respond effectively to Tier 1?
Tier 1 strategies should be effective for the majority of students (around 75-90%).
What are the pros and cons of using "district (Herricks) norms" to make determinations about a student's progress monitoring data?
District normative data assists educators in understanding how student's compare to their classroom/grade level peers. This may drive instructional practices or provision of intervention. However, Herricks is generally a high functioning sample of students. A student may perform 1 or 2 standard deviations below their Herricks peers, but within the Average range when their performance is compared to a national norm. Relying solely on district normative data can be misleading and cause an excess of Tier 2-3 interventions or an excess of referrals to the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
State at least two reasons a referral to the Committee on Special Education may not be the appropriate next step for a student?
1) The student has had a lapse in effective, evidence-based instruction due to excessive absences, 2) the student is an English Language Learner and does not present with a disability in their native language, 3) the student has not been afforded enough time to respond to intervention, 4) provided interventions have not been implemented with fidelity, 5) the student is struggling due to variables or factors unrelated to the potential for having a disability, etc...