Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)2026-04-30T09:49:27-07:00

Through a partnership with OSPI and the ESDs, districts have the opportunity to apply MTSS implementation and scale–up support.

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MTSS Summer Intensives
Don't miss this opportunity to catch-up in the MTSS Learning Progression or get a jump start to the school year!
Learn More >

MTSS Summer Intensives
Don’t miss this opportunity to catch-up in the MTSS Learning Progression or get a jump start to the school year!
Learn More >

About MTSS

About MTSS

The Washington MTSS Framework is an evidence-based organizational approach for districts and schools to create equitable, consistent, and flexible systems and supports that empower educators, students, families, and communities to ensure that every student benefits.

Our MTSS Coaching Model

We strive to meet the varying needs of our teams, districts and schools by differentiating our coaching supports based on capacity building, content coaching and systems coaching. Our coaching is tailored to the unique and individual needs of our region while also centering on best practices and the foundations of the MTSS Framework. We work alongside districts by building strong relationships to leverage effective coaching and implement systems change initiatives.

  • Content Coaching: focuses on helping teachers improve instruction in a particular discipline such as reading, mathematics, and behavior (Neufeld & Roper, 2003). The majority of coaching in these models occurs at the one-on-one (coach-to-teacher) or small group (coach-to-teachers) level and focuses on enhancing classroom practices to improve student outcomes.

  • Systems Coaching: shifts the concept of coaching from improving individual capacity to improving the coordinated capacity of groups of educators (e.g., district) to enhance implementation fidelity of evidence-based practices, as well as support and sustain whole school reform efforts (March & Gaunt, 2013; Sims, March, Barrett, & Knotek, 2015).

  • Systems coaching (v): the application of a set of skills that provides dynamic support and facilitation to develop the capacity of school or district teams to implement MTSS aligned with the school or district improvement plans in order to enhance student outcomes (March & Gaunt, 2013, p. 4).

  • Capacity Building: Systematically build internal capacity and infrastructure to develop the skills, abilities, and resources of educators to sustain long term impacts of systems implementation

ESD 112 Regional MTSS Team

Our Mission

We believe that MTSS is the foundation to providing equitable access to learning for each student. We strive to keep our coaching around systems change student-centered. We serve our school communities to create systems that are preventative, relational, and transformational.  We believe that with a focus on the Washington State MTSS framework and 5 components with an emphasis on data-based decision making, MTSS allows for equitable access and outcomes for all students in all areas of schooling. We believe it is an opportunity to remove systemic barriers while rebuilding equitable systems of support. 

ESD 112 Regional MTSS Team 2025

Services

MTSS Services

The MTSS Team can be contracted to provide Professional Development, Learning Sessions, and/or Coaching Services.

Coaching Services

Typically this looks like our coach(es) joining your District Implementation Team, or Building Implementation Team, during your regularly scheduled meetings. Our team can then provide guidance, resources, and templates to support your district’s work. Additionally, our team offers facilitation of a variety of fidelity assessments, further outlined below. Coaching services may include both direct contact hours and indirect service hours. Indirect service hours related to coaching includes preparation of resources, materials, or presentations as necessary to support the coaching engagement. The allocation of indirect hours for coaching will be determined based on the specific needs and scope of each coaching engagement.

Professional Development & Learning Sessions

For Professional Development and Learning Sessions, a contract includes both direct and indirect service hours. Direct service hours are specific to presentation and/or facilitation time. For each hour of direct service (presentation), one additional hour of indirect service (preparation) will be included.

Fidelity Assessments

Whether or not you seek ongoing coaching, we are able to provide facilitation with fidelity assessment. To support your MTSS implementation efforts, a fidelity assessment is highly recommended, and can be tailored to your team utilizing one of the following:

  • Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Fidelity of Implementation Rubric (Version 3) The purpose of the MTSS Rubric is to support teams in the following: self-evaluating and monitoring fidelity of small district/building MTSS implementation for a single domain within the system (e.g., literacy, math), or the overall comprehensiveness of the current system.

  • District Capacity Assessment The primary purpose of the District Capacity Assessment (DCA) is to assist school districts to implement effective innovations that benefit students.

  • Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory The purpose of the Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory (R-TFI) is to provide schools with a school-level fidelity tool to assess the reading components of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

  • Tiered Fidelity Inventory 2.1 The purpose of the SWPBIS Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) is to provide a valid, reliable, and efficient measure of the extent to which school personnel are applying the core features of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS).

  • District Systems Fidelity Inventory (DSFI) The purpose of the DSFI is to support districts exploring or actively implementing a multi-tiered social-emotional-behavioral system of support and practices.  The DSFI allows teams to assess essential features of PBIS resulting in an action plan that promotes sustainable systems of support and practices.

Learning Progression

MTSS Learning Progression

We have established our MTSS Learning Progression to support district implementation of MTSS from exploration to full implementation. This is to assist with the 2028-29 change in the evaluation process to determine student eligibility for special education under the category of Specific Learning Disability (SLD) by building staff capacity for MTSS Implementation and RTI for SLD evaluation.

*The progression represents the intended order of completion with the exception that Integrating RTI and PBIS for School Success and Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making can be taken concurrently or in either order.

MTSS Learning Progression: MTSS Springboard - Building the Foundation of the 5 MTSS Components, Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making, Integrating RTI and PBIS for School Success, Playbook - Developing your District Level MTSS Playbook, Advanced Data-Based Decision Making.

Learning Progression Courses

August 2026 Intensives or By Contract for 2026-27 SY

For K-12 educators and administrators, Springboard is designed to support district and building level teams in understanding and leveraging the five components of Washington State’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Framework to enhance sustainability and will provide teams with essential tools that can be implemented immediately. The MTSS Springboard will also support districts in planning for the 2028 discrepancy model phaseout and the SLD eligibility requirement.

Learn More About August 2026 Intensives >

Learn More About Contracts >

Asynchronous

This asynchronous course will explore how to implement academic and behavior supports within a MTSS framework. District and School teams will engage in learning experiences through reading, reflections, and discussion through the use of the book “Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Blending RTI and PBIS,” by McIntosh and Goodman. This resource brings together two powerful frameworks—RTI and PBIS—into a unified strategy for creating an inclusive and effective educational environment.

Learn More and Register >

This professional development course introduces educators with the core principles of data-based decision making and practical skills to implement an effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports through systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This course equips participants with the tools necessary to utilize data-based decision making across tiers and across teams; emphasis will be placed on application of data systems, analysis techniques, and interpretation strategies that directly inform instructional practices.

Learn More and Register >

Learn More About August 2026 Intensives >

Washington State has developed a MTSS Guidebook to support districts in developing their MTSS framework around the five essential components of team-driven shared leadership, data-based decision making, continuum of supports, evidence-based practices, and family, student, and community engagement. The MTSS Playbook community of practice will explore the guidebook and support districts in developing or refining a district and/or building guidebook.

Learn More and Register >

Advanced Data-Based Decision Making builds upon the foundational principles established in MTSS Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making, guiding educators to deepen their expertise in data analysis and implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports. This advanced course emphasizes effectively utilizing a problem solving process, with emphasis will be placed on standards of practice, fidelity assessments, effective intervention platforms, and data analysis across the tiers.

Learn More and Register >

MTSS Summer Intensives

Intensives are condensed 1-day sessions designed to catch-you-up in the MTSS Learning Progression or get a jump start to the school year. All sessions are in August 2026, 8:30am-3:30pm.

MTSS Springboard

Wednesday 12th at the ESD 112 Conference Center

OR

Wednesday 19th Online via Zoom

Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making

Thursday 13th at the ESD 112 Conference Center

OR

Tuesday 18th Online via Zoom

Developing a CoS for SEB Practices across the Tiers

Friday 21st at the ESD 112 Conference Center

Additional PD

Additional Professional Learning Opportunities

2026-27 MTSS PD Calendar

Enhancing Instruction through The Teacher Clarity Playbook

Asynchronous
This course focuses on leveraging “The Teacher Clarity Playbook” to improve instructional practices, boost student achievement, and foster a more focused learning environment. Based on research-driven strategies, this playbook provides educators with practical tools for increasing clarity in their teaching. 

School Counseling Community of Practice

This Community of Practice (CoP) is designed for K-12 school counselors seeking to enhance the way they utilize data as part of their comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP), and as part of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS).  Through the lens of data-based decision making, participants will establish connections with colleagues across the region in this shared work, discuss the ASCA National Model, Fifth Edition, and identify opportunities to align MTSS and a CSCP. Not a repeat from 2024-25 or 2025-26.

Changes to Specific Learning Disability Eligibility in Washington State: An Exploration of the Technical Assistance Papers

Designed for educators seeking to learn more about the upcoming changes to the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) eligibility requirement. Participants will engage in collaborative exploration of the Washington State Technical Assistance Papers to support their continued development and refinement of their current MTSS processes.

Developing a Continuum of Supports for Social Emotional Behavior across the Tiers

Prerequisite for Preventing and Responding to Problem Behavior Community of Practice

This professional development course equips educators with the knowledge and practical strategies to design and implement a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for social-emotional behavior (SEB) in K-12 settings. In alignment with the Washington State Social Emotional Learning Benchmarks, educators will explore evidence-based practices for social, emotional, behavior across the tiers and develop or update their current continuum of supports. Participants will consider integration of SEB and other continuum of supports  i.e. academics and attendance, as well as learn strategies for data collection to support team decision making.

Preventing & Responding to Behaviors Community of Practice

Prerequisite Course: Developing a Continuum of Supports for Social Emotional Behavior across the Tiers

This Community of Practice (CoP) is designed to support educators in reflecting on and strengthening their proactive responses to behavior within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This professional learning community will provide a structured, supportive environment for staff to share experiences, analyze practices, and explore evidence-based strategies.

Resources

Resources

MTSS in Washington Laws

Initiates in MTSS, follow link to pdf

Additional Resources

Who to Contact

Reach out to the team to learn more about our services:

MTSS Regional Implementation Team

Email: mtss@esd112.org

Stay Informed!

Interested in receiving our newsletter with upcoming MTSS opportunities? Simply fill out this form to be added!

Upcoming Classes

Click to learn more and register:

Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making (click to learn more)
Integrating RTI and PBIS for school success (click to learn more)
Playbook Community of Practice (click to learn more)
Developing a Continuum of Supports for Social Emotional Behavior across the Tiers (click to learn more)
School Counseling Community of Practice (click to learn more)
Enhancing Instruction through the Teacher Clarity Playbook (click to learn more)

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Vancouver, WA 98661

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ESD 112 acknowledges and honors the traditional lands of the Cowlitz and Chinook Tribes, Lower Columbia Peoples, Shoalwater Bay Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, on which our school districts reside in what is now Southwest Washington. We pay respect to the elders and caretakers that have stewarded these lands throughout generations and that are still here today.

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