Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)2026-04-22T13:50:45-07:00

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

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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.

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.

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.

Professional Development

Professional Development Opportunities

MTSS Learning Progression

We have established our MTSS Learning Progression to support district implementation of  MTSS from exploration to full implementation. This is to assists 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.

MTSS Springboard

By Contract Only 2026-27 SY
For K-12 educators and administrators, this professional learning is designed to support district and building level teams in 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 adhering to the state expectation of the 2028 discrepancy model phaseout and the implementation of MTSS (tiered models of support).
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Integrating RTI and PBIS For School Success

Asynchronous

District and School teams will engage in a facilitated learning experience through reading, reflections and discussion. Educators will increase their knowledge and application in integrating MTSS for academics and behavior. To support this learning, we will delve into the work of Kent McIntosh and Steve Goodman in their book “Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Blending RTI and PBIS.” This asynchronous course will explore how to implement academic and behavior support systems within a MTSS framework. “Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Blending RTI and PBIS” brings together two powerful frameworks—RTI and PBIS—into a unified strategy for creating an inclusive and effective educational environment.

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Foundations of Data-Based Decision Making

MTSS Foundations of Data Based Decision Making introduces educators with the core principles of data-based decision making and practical skills to implement 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. There will be opportunities to network, share successes, and collaborate with colleagues across the region.

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Playbook Community of Practice

ESD 112 will be hosting a community of practice to explore the guidebook and support districts in developing or refining a guidebook personalized to your district.

Washington State has developed a MTSS Guidebook [Playbook] 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 guidebook is available on the AESD website.

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Advanced Data-Based Decision Making

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 sophisticated data analysis and strategic implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports. This advanced course emphasizes the development of leadership capacity in data-driven decision making, enabling participants to facilitate systemic change within their schools and districts. Educators will refine their ability to synthesize multiple data sources, lead collaborative inquiry processes, and design responsive interventions that address complex student needs across all tiers of support.

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Additional Professional Learning Opportunities

Enhancing Instruction through The Teacher Clarity Playbook

Asynchronous
This professional development session 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. By the end of this session, educators will be equipped with practical strategies to make learning visible and more accessible for all students, promoting a classroom culture of clarity, engagement, and success.

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School Counseling Community of Practice

Using data to guide decision making is an essential component of a data-informed school counseling program and is also one of the five components of the Washington State MTSS framework.  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).  Not a repeat from 2024-25 or 2025-26.

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

This professional development course equips Washington State educators, school psychologists, and administrators with comprehensive knowledge to implement the state’s transition from the severe discrepancy method to a Response to Intervention (RTI) approach for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) evaluations, effective in the 2028-29 school year.

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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 in K-12 settings. Through evidence-based frameworks, educators will learn to create cohesive systems that promote self-awareness, self-management, self-efficacy, social awareness, social management, and social engagement. The course emphasizes culturally responsive practices, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative approaches to support diverse learners.

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Preventing & Responding to Behaviors Community of Practice

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

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 to become equipped to identify and remove barriers that may hinder a student’s success.

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Resources

Resources

OSPI

Other Organizations

Books

MTSS in Washington Laws

Initiates in MTSS, follow link to pdf

Contacts

Who to Contact

MTSS Regional Implementation Team

Email: mtss@esd112.org

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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SERVING CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 50 YEARS

ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.

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2500 NE 65th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98661

Call: (360) 750–7500
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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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