How strong are your assessment & data systems?
MTSS works when teams use reliable, valid data to drive decisions across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains.
Why focus on this?
Strong outcomes don’t happen by chance — they require intentional assessment systems and data practices that give educators the right information at the right time.
MTSS relies on accurate screening, meaningful progress monitoring, and structured data routines to identify needs early, match supports effectively, and ensure improvement across student groups. Without purposeful assessment and data use, even highly effective instruction and interventions lose their power.
Universal Screening
A brief, reliable assessment administered to all students several times per year to identify risk early across academics, behavior, SEL, attendance, or engagement
Progress Monitoring
Frequent, targeted assessments used to track a student’s response to intervention and determine whether supports are working; commonly graphed over time for quick analysis
Diagnostic Assessments
A deeper assessment can be administered after an identified a concern. It pinpoints specific skills or underlying needs so supports can be matched precisely to the student
“When teachers use assessment data to systematically adjust instruction, students achieve significantly better outcomes.”
— Lynn & Doug Fuchs, Vanderbilt University
How Can We Support Your Assessment & Data Practices?
Everything is rooted in research, aligned with implementation science, and tailored to your school’s unique context.
Assessment Systems Review
Evaluate your current screening tools, progress monitoring routines, data flow, and decision rules across academics, behavior/SEL, and attendance
Develop an Assessment Plan
Align screeners, diagnostics, and monitoring tools with student needs and research-based MTSS practices
Data-based Decision Making Protocols
Train teams to use data for fast, accurate, and equitable intervention decisions across all three tiers
Progress Monitoring Training
Select measures, establish decision rules, build staff capacity, and ensure consistent, high-quality data collection
Coaching & Alignment
Support teams as they interpret data, problem-solve root causes, match interventions, and monitor effectiveness
Staff Professional Development
Build assessment literacy: universal screening, progress monitoring, diagnostics, data triangulation, and continuous improvement cycles
