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.
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.
| Preparation Matters: Sharing agendas in advance keeps MTSS meetings focused, productive, and efficient. Stay Structured and Data-Driven: Effective MTSS meetings avoid distractions, rely on student data, and end with clear, actionable steps. Build Trust and Inclusivity: A culture of trust encourages honest, collaborative discussions in MTSS meetings. |
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.
Secondary Intervention MTSS Highlights |
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 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.
Educators and school leaders across the nation are navigating the complexities of implementing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). While the framework offers data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes, it requires significant effort to execute effectively. During our 2023 MTSS Summit, Dr. Judy Elliott and Dr. George Batsche, leading experts on MTSS, joined us to share their insights on the current trends, challenges, and methodologies shaping MTSS.
Before becoming a professional development consultant with Branching Minds, I spent 34 years in the roles of teacher, interventionist, and instructional specialist; and I’m currently supporting a school district as they continue to improve their MTSS system. My roles allow me to spend time with teachers and administrators from all over the country. And while fall has everyone drinking, eating, and smelling all things pumpkin...for those in education, this season also ushers in a time of data and stress.
Universal Screening
At the beginning, middle, and end of year, scores from universal screening come rolling in. Universal Screeners are a standardized assessment tool to help educators evaluate whether core instruction is effective, and to identify students who need additional support. (Jenkins, Hudson, & Johnson, 2007).
After administering the universal screener to students, we want to see that at least 80% of students are achieving success with core instruction alone and do not need intervention support. This is the measure of an effective Tier 1 core instructional program!
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Supports in MTSS
Approximately 10% to 15% of students perform below their grade-level expectations and require additional Tier 2 instructional intervention beyond the universal classroom instruction all students receive. These students benefit from targeted small group sessions, allowing educators to address specific gaps in understanding and performance. Furthermore, about 5% of students exhibit performance well below their grade level, highlighting a need for Tier 3 individualized intervention. This involves intensive, often one-on-one, tailored instruction designed to meet unique learning needs and to bridge significant educational gaps.