PR Award #: H323A200005
Name: Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Title: Washington Multi-Tiered System of Supports
City, State: Olympia, WA
Project Director: Justyn Poulos
Project Director email: Justyn.poulos@k12.wa.us
Purpose
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will develop a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) in Washington by providing training and technical assistance on evidence-based approaches to supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Washington’s MTSS framework will integrate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Response to Intervention (RtI), which include the installation of evidence-based practices with fidelity, tiered supports to meet a range of student needs, the use of teams for implementation and continuous improvement, data-based decision making and meaningful family engagement. MTSS will help to increase inclusion in least-restrictive environments and academic growth, while also reducing disciplinary exclusions, for students with disabilities.
Method
The program utilizes cascading support from the state, through the regions, to districts, schools, and students. OSPI will contract with regional Education Service Districts, which will be supported by the MTSS Implementation Manager at OSPI, to provide evidence-based systems coaching to districts. State-level design and implementation teams will oversee capacity-building, design, and continuous improvement. Capacity and fidelity of implementation will be assessed using standardized tools (SSFI, DSFI, TFI, R-TFI). Once fidelity is achieved, student outcomes will be reviewed to assess impact. Fidelity and student outcome data will be used as part of the continuous improvement process to inform program adjustments.