Katie Novak, ED.D., is an education consultant, author, and graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania. She has over 20 years’ experience in teaching and administration and has published twelve books focused on building inclusive and equitable classrooms, schools, and systems.

Kristan Rodriguez, PH.D., spent over 20 years as a practitioner in private and public school settings, including being a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Rodriguez is currently the owner of an educational consulting agency that helps provide professional learning and staffing to schools across the globe. In addition to her books, she has authored numerous MTSS implementation resources that have been used in the field.

From Katie          7

From Kristan      8

Introduction       8

Chapter 1: Planning for Systems Change 9

The View from My Window, Kristan         9

Our Call 10

The Need for Complex Change   12

Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze Model            13

Concerns-Based Adoption            15

Implementation Science               17

Improvement Science    21

Summary             24

Reflection Questions      25

Chapter 2: Understanding MTSS 25

Baking, Not Caking           26

Defining MTSS   26

Vision    32

Instructional Design        32

Tiered Systems 33

Systems and Structures 34

Summary             36

Reflection Questions      37

Chapter 3: The Power of Inclusive Practices          38

The Power of Carrot Cake, Katie 38

The Opportunity Myth   39

Universal Design for Learning      41

Deeper Learning               51

Deeper Learning Tasks   53

Summary             55

Reflection Questions      55

Chapter 4: Building Your Team and Crafting a Vision         57

The Ultimate Dream Team, Katie               57

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work          58

Establishing the MTSS Team        58

Team Members 59

Team Process    61

Building Team Norms     62

Coordinating with Other Teams 65

Understanding Effective Instructional Practice    66

Creating the Vision          68

Drafting the Vision           69

Summary             71

Chapter 5: Kicking Off the Needs Assessment Process     72

My Reflection in the Mirror, Kristan         72

Where Do I Start? Katie 73

Seeing Our Current Systems        73

Document Review           75

Document Review Sample: High School Schedule              78

Asset Mapping  81

Systems Inventory          83

Summary             84

Reflection Questions      84

Chapter 6: Data Analysis to Prepare for MTSS      86

The Power of Lived Experiences, Kristan 86

Data Analysis     87

Outcomes Data 88

Instructional Data            89

Perspectives Data            89

Systems Data     90

Equity Reviews 90

Transforming Equity Reviews Into Action               93

Prepare Your Data Culture           95

Set a Positive Data Culture           95

Create a Comprehensive Assessment Map            96

Design a Data Decision Flowchart              97

Create Data Systems      99

Summary             100

Reflection Questions      100

Chapter 7: Conducting the Self-Assessment         101

Refinishing the Glider, Katie        101

Completing the Self-Assessment               102

Instructional Vision         104

Instructional Design        105

Tiered Systems 108

Systems and Structures 111

Key Findings       114

Summary             117

Chapter 8: Root-Cause Analysis 118

Down the River 118

Identify Potential Root Causes    119

Organizing Your Proposed Root Causes Around Control   120

Review Root Causes for Leverage              121

Validate Your Root Causes           122

Verify Your Root Causes 123

Summary             124

Reflection Questions      124

Chapter 9: Planning for Success 126

Walk with Me, Kristan    126

Sample Process Overview            127

Writing SMART Goals     133

Vetting Your Plan             137

Logic Models     139

Your Turn            144

Action Planning 145

Summary             148

Reflection Questions      148

Chapter 10: Implementing Systems         149

Avoiding the Fate of Sisyphus     149

Unpacking Fidelity           150

Fidelity Checks in Practice             154

Feedback Loops 155

A Case Study: Integrating MTSS  157

Summary             160

References         161

Appendix A         169

Appendix B: Sample Action Steps for MTSS Strategy         177

Vision Action Steps          177

Instructional Design Sample Action Steps              177

Curricular Materials        178

Equitable Practices          178

Pedagogy            179

Assessment        179

Learning Environment   180

Tiered Systems Planning               181

Tiered Supports 181

Data Systems     182

Access to Resources       182

Leveraging Systems and Structures          184

Staff Development and Competency       184

Structural Support           185

Continuous Improvement Cycles               185

Human Resources           187

About the Authors           187

Katie Novak, Ed.D.           188

Kristan Rodriguez, Ph.D. 189

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