Summer MTSS Blueprint: Designing Your Tiers Before School Starts

Tier Structure Ready by Day 1

No Yes

New

Students Pre-Assigned to Groups

0% 100% Tier 2/3

Ready

Weeks to First Intervention

6 weeks Week 1

-83%

Symptom

Every fall, it took 6 weeks before intervention groups were running. Teachers needed time to assess students, the MTSS team needed to meet to form groups, and scheduling had to be figured out. Six weeks of lost intervention time for students who were already behind.

People

The MTSS coordinator used the summer planning window to pre-build the fall intervention structure. Team: - MTSS coordinator — Tier design, group pre-assignment - Principal — Master schedule with intervention blocks - Interventionists — Material preparation based on pre-assigned groups

Data

Spring benchmark data and end-of-year factor scores were used to pre-assign students to Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups for fall. Groups were built in the system over the summer based on specific skill deficits. Data walls were pre-configured with fall group views.

Plan

A 4-week summer planning sequence: Week 1 (July): Pull spring benchmark data and end-of-year factor scores. Identify students likely to need Tier 2 or 3 support based on current data. Week 2: Form tentative groups by skill deficit. Build these groups in the system. Week 3: Work with principal to lock intervention blocks into the master schedule. Week 4: Interventionists review their pre-assigned groups and prepare materials. Day 1 of school: Intervention groups start immediately. Fall screening data (Week 2-3) confirms or adjusts group membership, but students aren't waiting 6 weeks for help.

Resources

Summer MTSS Planning Calendar

4-week planning sequence with task owners