When students demonstrate little to no growth, educators examine the extent to which the student’s core instruction and interventions are aligned to their specific needs. This tool is used to determine if a student's instructional plan aligns to their specific needs. By answering the questions within the tool, educators can better target a student's needs.

Use of specific praise is an effective strategy for reinforcing skills in students that are associated with positive academic and behavioral outcomes. Educators can use this assessment tool to determine the ratio of general praise and specific praise compared to redirects. A ratio of at least 4 praise statements to every 1 redirect is connected to a more positive learning environment for students.  

This tool helps educators assess the extent to which effective generalization practices are in place for students. It's helpful when a student is successful in one setting, but not other settings. Educators assess how well they are teaching students to transfer skills across settings. 

Data-based decision making (DBDM) is the use of data to make decisions that benefit students. It occurs at all levels of MTSS implementation, from individual students to the district level. This infographic illustrates DBDM using the problem solving model, provides examples of how teams use data within MTSS and provides tips for data use. 

The Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Fidelity Rubric (IMFR) assesses an elementary school’s implementation of MTSS where academic and social, emotional, and behavioral supports are strategically combined to improve student outcomes. The IMFR includes 14 items organized around instruction and intervention, assessment, data-based decision making, and infrastructure. 

Communication with and involvement of all staff is important for implementation of MTSS not only to ensure fidelity to identified procedures but also to ensure sufficient buy-in and support for MTSS. This resource highlights three factors for communicating with staff: (a) a description of the school’s essential components of MTSS and data-based decision-making process shared with staff, (b) a system in place to keep staff informed, and (c) frequent collaboration of teacher teams.

Evaluation of Outcomes is the use of procedures to monitor and evaluate outcomes, including identified short- and long-term goals and the impact of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for all students and subgroups of students. Teams also evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of MTSS implementation for continuous improvement. This tip sheet outlines tips and questions to guide schools use of evaluation.

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 and accompanying infographic defines fidelity, provides tips for implementation, and links to useful fidelity resources.

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