The culture of a school isn’t just set by policies, staff, or curriculum. At its core, it’s built through the daily interactions and experiences shared by those who spend the most time there: the students. When students are given the opportunity to take an active role in shaping their environment, the results can be far-reaching.

When I first heard the term “implementation science,” I’ll admit—it sounded like something out of a research lab, not something I’d need to think about as a school leader juggling 100 other priorities. But as I dug in, I realized it’s really just a fancy way of talking about how we actually get things done—how we turn good ideas like MTSS into everyday practice that sticks.

During the edLeader Panel webinar, Roll Call! Addressing the Roots of Absenteeism with MTSS, leaders discussed how improving attendance and engagement can be done by focusing on the youngest learners—kindergarten through second grade—and provided practical, proven strategies for supporting early learners’ attendance habits.

Lakota Local School District in Southwest Ohio has about 17,700 students and more than 2,000 employees and reports an overall attendance rate of 94 percent. It’s a highly diverse district with 29 percent of the students being economically disadvantaged, about one-fourth being gifted, and 11 percent being English language learners.

When I was a teacher, my administrative team was highly focused on the “numbers,” and their dismissal of my observations sometimes left me feeling undervalued. They didn’t recognize that my daily interactions and deep understanding of my students provided valuable context for data-driven decisions.

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