MTSS in TSD - Weekly Wednesday News

2022-2023 Series - Volume 22 (February 1, 2023)

This is our twenty-second edition this year!

We use this newsletter to make connections regarding the implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework in the Thompson School District (TSD).

> Access last week's edition.

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This is the shape of a Cross or Compass - with a center circle at top, bottom, right, and left; all circles are connected to the center with gray bars; Thompson Educational Expectations is written in center black-colored circle with Learning Design in orange circle on left, Learning Delivery in red circle on right, Evaluations of Learning in green circle on bottom, Conditions for Learning in blue circle at top

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TEE: Conditions for Learning

Last week, we referenced Evaluations of Learning from our Thompson Educational Expectations (TEE). This time, we ask you to consider Conditions for Learning.

How are we creating readiness for each stakeholder to engage, partner, and develop (individually and collectively)?
How are we ensuring that we have "an hospitable environment" (or ENABLING context) to implement system-wide and individual student supports?
How are we "setting up" our system (i.e., classroom, school, district) to PREVENT challenge from occurring? How are we removing/reducing barriers and promoting "facilitators" for success?

Here is an organizational flowchart (from APBS/Kent McIntosh) that has been adapted and used over time in PBIS and MTSS content. It shows how infrastructure "flows" for effective implementation, with inputs and outputs from the Leadership Teaming section. Think about your Implementation Teams!

Notice the connections and bi-directional arrows that display how the different system elements are related. Of special note: Because this is a "PBIS-centric" image, the bottom right green box says "behavioral expertise", but if you are thinking more holistically with this graphic, you could change that box to "content-area expertise" (to represent all) or add "academic expertise" in the same area.

Flow chart, top row has boxes for Stakeholder Support, Funding, Policy & Systems Alignment, and Workforce Capacity, the next section connects above and below it, that circle reads: Executive Functions and Implementation Functions with Leadership Teaming large in the middle, and the row below has boxes that read: Training, Coaching, Evaluation & Performance Feedback, and Behavioral Expertise, and the lowest square on the flow map says Local Implementation Demonstrations

Click to Read: Five Pillars to Coaching as a Leader

This brief article (March 2022) describes the five pillars that a leader needs to effectively coach; these come from "Constructive Learning Design." These pillars prioritize skills and strategies, and resource links are included.

Marzano Resources Slide reads" What Type of Supports? When the type of support a beginning teacher isn't obvious, utilize the following questions: What is your most pressing concern at this time? What do you wish you knew right now? What do you wish you had to support you? What is making your job difficult right now? Complete this sentence: If I had ___, my life would be much easier right now. If you had three extra hours in the day, how would you use your time?

Click to Read: A Protocol for Teacher-Focused PD

This article describes the benefits of CFG and when/how to use it. It begins: "Professional development based on the Critical Friends Group {CFG} protocol can guide teachers to concentrate on real classroom problems." (Edutopia, 2/1/23)

Title of infographic is: Reading Aloud to Kids. It includes cartoon images of young children are included with each area: Builds Empathy, Creates a lifelong love of reading, improves language and listening skills, facilitates important and/or difficult conversations, activates and empowers imagination, is fun! Citation: www.jarrettlerner.com

Click to Access: Florida Center for Reading Research

"The FCRR Resource Database pulls together over 650 materials from across the center’s numerous research, innovation, and engagement activities. Users can search available materials by resource type, project, and stakeholder audience."

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Monthly Co-Literacy Conversations for Grades 4-12

"CDE is hosting monthly virtual conversations for leaders, teachers and other classroom practitioners who support literacy in grades four to 12. The webinars will include research, resources and Tier 1 instructional support. The next session is 3:30 p.m. on Thurs. 2/23/23, via Zoom."

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Summer 2023: Teaching and Learning CoLabs

"The Teaching and Learning CoLabs are one-day, multi-disciplinary regional professional development workshops. Schools are encouraged to attend a CoLab in teams, with teachers representing multiple grades and content areas." (CDE)

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Educator Preparation Programs Report

"The interactive dashboard with information about the effectiveness of the programs in Colorado that train teachers, principals, special services providers and administrators has been updated with data for the 2020-21 cohort of completers who first taught in 2021-22."