I’ll never forget the day my principal walked into my classroom—not for an observation, not for a meeting, but because he actually cared enough to check in. He noticed a tense exchange between me and a colleague and wanted to know how I was handling the whirlwind of changes that year. But here’s the part that stuck with me: he didn’t just listen—he took action. Because of that conversation, our team meetings became more purposeful, our collaboration more effective, and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly seen as an educator.

Effective leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about building trust and collaboration. One of the most powerful ways to do that? Truly listening to teachers. Teacher feedback is essential, especially when shaping a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). As middle school principal Melissa Harvey shared on the Schoolin’ Around Podcast, “They love that I listen to them, that I hear them. And it takes a lot because it’s a whole day or two of active listening.” But that effort pays off—when leaders prioritize teacher voices, they foster buy-in, strengthen systems, and create meaningful change.

Your district needs a strong Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), but the question is, how will you pay for it?

Finding the funding for MTSS software, resources, staffing, and professional development isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, your usual federal formula funds aren’t enough, and you need to pursue competitive grants.

Here’s the good news: no matter who the funder is—whether it's the federal government, a state agency, or a private foundation—the grant process follows a similar path. With the right steps, you can quickly determine if a funding opportunity is a good fit and move through the application process more efficiently.

Here are ten steps for pursuing MTSS funding beyond your federal formula funds to get the MTSS program your district deserves.

For decades, the "Reading Wars" have sparked fierce debates over the best way to teach reading. But at the heart of it all, one truth remains: without strong foundational reading skills, students will struggle in school and in life. Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension aren’t just check boxes in early education; they’re the building blocks that determine a child’s ability to become a fluent, independent reader.

And the reading struggles don’t stop in elementary school. Nearly 30% of eighth graders lack basic reading mastery, meaning far too many students enter high school unprepared to tackle advanced coursework. Without intervention, these gaps don’t just persist—they widen, making graduation and future success even harder to achieve. It’s time to rethink how we support readers at every grade level before it’s too late.

Whenever I mention I taught middle school, the reactions are predictable: either a wide-eyed “Wow, you’re so brave!” or a grim “Middle school? That was the worst time of my life.” While it’s true that these years can be challenging for many students, I discovered something special during my time as a teacher. There’s a unique joy in witnessing who middle school students are becoming—caught between the fun of childhood and the journey into young adulthood.

Close your eyes (while reading this may be difficult, but just play along)… and imagine stepping into a Student Support Team Meeting with an automated agenda rich with recent student academic and behavioral context. As you start the meeting, real-time note capture kicks in and summarizes your discussion with colleagues and parents. 

Together, your team creates a plan that is laser-focused on measurable student outcomes. The meeting ends with a review of the plan along with clear, organized next steps. 

Now open your eyes! This scenario is not a dream but a new reality, thanks to the Branching Minds Meeting Assistant.💡

If you’re like me, you have questions about how it works. So as we dig in, I’d like to share the Branching Minds approach to AI in education!

So you need to go to RFP?! You’re in the right place. While the process can be daunting and time-consuming, it’s also an incredible opportunity to connect with the educators who will use the software daily. Districts can build buy-in for MTSS and select a solution truly tailored to their specific needs.

This RFP guide, written by an expert in education funding, walks you through the RFP process step-by-step. It is the perfect companion to the MTSS Buyer’s Guide, another resource to help you and your team evaluate solutions fairly and competitively. 

Table of Contents
1. What is an RFP?
2. Creating a Solicitation Schedule
3. Proposal Format
4. Recommended Vendor Requirements
5. The MTSS RFP Guide from Branching Minds

Educators know that meetings are a big part of the job—especially MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) meetings, which are all about figuring out how to best support students who need extra help. But without proper planning and focus, these meetings can quickly go from being super helpful to feeling like a total waste of time.

Jodee Nelson, a Title 1 Coordinator and K-3 Reading Specialist from Lincoln County, Wyoming, with nearly 20 years of experience, recently shared her tips on how to make MTSS meetings more effective for both students and teachers. 

One of the most effective ways to provide intervention for secondary students is through a school-wide WIN (What I Need)period. WIN is a scheduled but flexible time block where teachers provide targeted support and enrichment to students based on their individual needs. WIN time should be planned to include both intervention and enrichment.

When launching a school-wide or district-wide initiative like WIN time, several legitimate concerns arise:

• How do we schedule the time with all the competing priorities?
• What should teachers do with the time?
• How do we ensure dynamic groups allow students to move in and out as needed?
• How do we support teachers in effectively implementing interventions? 

As school districts across the country implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to address student needs, many administrators are trying to figure out where the money will come from.

While some funds may be available to improve MTSS overall, many funding sources are available for school districts to implement specific components of MTSS—either across a district or for specific populations of students: 

• MTSS is a long-term practice, so federal funding remains the most sustained source of funding for MTSS programs.
• State formula funding varies and is subject to state education budgets.
• State competitive grants are often funded annually but will require districts to file grant applications for each cycle.

The takeaway? Districts may have to look to several funding sources and combine them to fund their MTSS.

As we bid farewell to 2024 (what a year it's been!) and prepare for the new year, it’s the perfect time to highlight some of the game-changing MTSS resources and stories you loved this year!

From improving reading outcomes to creating behavioral support systems that work for students and teachers, these resources can help enhance your MTSS intervention strategies for 2025.