Fidelity of implementation is a key school infrastructure and support mechanism to ensure the effectiveness of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). The tip sheet defines fidelity, provides tips for implementation, and links to useful fidelity resources.

This resource is part of the MTSS infrastructure and Support Mechanisms Series.

A strong and comprehensive Tier 1 is an essential part of MTSS. By considering six dimensions that are most likely to impact instructional design and delivery, schools can evaluate and intensify the core. This tip sheet provides examples and resources to assist schools in intensifying core programming at Tier 1.

MTSS teams refer to the leadership team or teams that guide and support the implementation of MTSS. MTSS teams should be representative of all key stakeholders, including regular education, special education, administration, and family and community input. MTSS teams also have structures and clear processes in place to guide decision making, and the teams have protected time set aside to meet on a regular basis.

This resource is part of the MTSS infrastructure and Support Mechanisms Series.

Implementation of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) requires appropriate school infrastructure and support mechanisms. By ensuring the proper infrastructure and supports, schools can ensure they have the knowledge, resources, and organizational structures to being MTSS implementation, implement MTSS with fidelity, and sustain MTSS implementation. This resource summarizes the infrastructure and support mechanisms outlined in Section 5 of the MTSS Fidelity of Implementation Rubric as necessary for successful MTSS implementation.

Teams are a vital part of an effective multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) across both academics and behavior as well as special education. Making connections across the various teams used in MTSS and special education can be challenging. This resource from NCII and the PBIS Center provides information about how DBI can support IEP implementation and a table with key considerations for teams working across the MTSS system.

We know that validity, reliability, classification accuracy, statistical bias, and sample representativeness are important considerations when reviewing screening tools, but what do they actually mean? These five screening one-page documents provide a brief overview of each of these areas that are used on the NCII Screening Tools Charts. These one-pagers include a definition, examples, and information on why that particular standard is important for understanding the quality of screening tools. Companion infographics are also available.

If we don’t implement critical components of an intervention with consistency, we cannot link student outcomes to the instruction provided. Fidelity can help us to determine the effectiveness of an intervention, and identify if a student requires more intensive supports. This resource outlines five elements of fidelity and provides guiding questions for each.

Research on professional development shows that teachers need long term support in order to improve their practice. Coaching can be one method for providing that support (Joyce & Showers, 2002; Kretlow & Bartholomew, 2010). However, not every form of coaching is effective. In fact, just four specific coaching practices are linked to improvements in teacher practice and learner outcomes.

Successful implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and, specifically, intensive intervention through the data-based individualization (DBI) process, demands the collection and analysis of data. As teams consider data collection, challenges may occur with assessment administration, scoring, and data entry (Taylor, 2009). This resource reviews three data collection and entry challenges and strategies to ensure data about risk status and responsiveness accurately represent student performance and minimize measurement errors.