MTSS Integrated Conference 25

This session introduces a new school model where academics and experiential learning are equally prioritized, every student has a personalized plan, and teachers serve as content specialists embedded in the community. Participants will explore how a decentralized, healing-centered MTSS approach can transform education by rooting learning in identity, wellness, and joy—and dismantling white-centered, compliance-driven systems.

Lasting change doesn’t come from adding new programs; it comes from changing the systems that hold persistent challenges in place. This interactive session explores how the Six Conditions for Systems Change (Kania et al., 2018) align with MTSS implementation when guided by Implementation and Improvement Science. Participants will examine the “water” beneath school systems and engage in practical strategies to shift policies, practices, power dynamics, and mental models for sustainable transformation.

Learn how school and district teams can use participatory program evaluation to strengthen inclusionary practices within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Grounded in collaborative inquiry and lived experience, this session introduces a four-step model for engaging educators, students, and families in evaluating progress and shaping more equitable systems. By bringing stakeholder voices into every stage of the evaluation—from defining priorities to interpreting data—teams can uncover barriers to inclusion, build shared ownership, and develop meaningful, context-sensitive solutions.

Participants will explore practical strategies to foster staff reflection, promote equity, and increase the relevance and use of data across all tiers of support. Emphasis will be placed on how participatory approaches can elevate inclusive mindsets, improve fidelity of inclusive practices, and support sustainable systems change driven by those closest to the classroom.

The MASH model strengthens inclusive, trauma-assumed systems through interdisciplinary coaching. This session explores how MASH builds school, family, and agency partnerships to support students with behavioral health needs. Participants will learn how to shift mindsets from student “fixing” to adult capacity-building, create emotionally safe environments, and engage in systems-level problem-solving.

As student behavior concerns and educator burnout rise, it’s time to reimagine support through student voice and agency within MTSS. This session highlights two transformative, student-centered approaches—Restorative Justice Centers (RJC) and student Equity Communities of Practice (ECOPs). Discover how these structures empower students to shape a more inclusive and supportive school climate. Join us for an engaging, solutions-driven conversation that repositions students as key partners in driving meaningful school change.

In this session, educators will explore how MTSS can be designed and implemented inclusive of students with extensive support needs (ESN). For students with ESNs, we often focus on Tier 3 interventions without providing the foundational Tier 1 instruction. Through evidence-based strategies and practical examples, participants will understand how MTSS (academic and behavioral) can be accessible and impactful for all learners. Participants will leave with insights to strengthen equity and inclusion for students with ESNs.

This session explores practical Tier 2 teaming strategies within MTSS, using real outcome examples to highlight impact. Participants will address misconceptions—such as MTSS being a path to SpEd—and shift the narrative around the purpose of MTSS. Foundational teaming challenges will be explored alongside practical solutions and resources. Attendees will examine MTSS implementation across phases and discover best practices to build functional team-led supports that lead to student-centered, data-driven outcomes.