
ConnectedMTSS | Chris Birr, Ed.D.
Connecting Research, Implementation, and Practice in MTSS
CONNECTEDMTSS
Connecting Research, Implementation, and Practice in MTSS
ConnectedMTSS explores how schools can make evidence-informed decisions, implement effective practices, and evaluate the impact of their systems of support.
Statutory Vetting & Intervention Selection
Selecting interventions is now a matter of strict statutory compliance.
Ensure your Tier 2 and Tier 3 tools align with state HQIM registries, bridge core curriculum directly to targeted interventions, and pass NIRN Hexagon local infrastructure fit before deployment.
PRACTITIONER'S TOOLKIT
Ready-to-Use MTSS Templates, Guides, and Implementation Resources
Open-access frameworks, screening cut-score guides, and implementation tools for K-12 data teams.
Academic & Behavioral Intervention Checklists
The Intervention Design Checklist
- What it is: A quality-control tool to evaluate whether your current academic interventions contain the active ingredients of success (such as explicit instruction, systematic pacing, high Opportunities to Respond, and feedback loops).
- Best Used For: Observing interventions in action, reviewing a proposed program, or developing school-wide fidelity checklists.
Fidelity & Implementation Monitoring
MTSS Intervention Fidelity Checklist
What it is: A structured administrative observation and self-reflection tool to measure program delivery, instructional adherence, and student dosage integrity.
Best Used For: Ensuring that student improvement is not impacted by inconsistent program delivery.
ConnectedMTSS Templates — Downloadable PDFs Coming Soon
Instructional and Intervention Syntheses
What it is: Condensed, evidence-based briefs summarizing highly effective strategies for instruction, intervention, and assessment
📘 Literacy & Reading Syntheses
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Evidence-Based Reading Syntheses (PDF) - Core decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies.
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Reading Fluency- Updated Synthesis PDF Coming Soon
🧮 Mathematics Syntheses
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Dyscalculia Synthesis (PDF) - Targeted interventions for profound math deficits. Coming soon.
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Math Fact Fluency Synthesis (PDF) - Baroody's Mastery Phases and strategy-based instruction.
⚙️ Systems Implementation
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Targeting Intervention: Using Hierarchy of Learning (PDF) - click for link
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Intervention Integrity Synthesis (PDF) - Coming Soon
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Social Emotional Screening (PDF) - Coming Soon
📊 Program Evaluation & Intervention
Program Evaluation & Intervention Selection
Tools and systematic frameworks to help leadership teams choose, assess, and scale evidence-based practices.
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Hexagon Tool Exploration & Guide (Go to Page) - A structured framework for evaluating intervention fit, capacity, and readiness.
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District Program Evaluation Protocol (Go to Page) - Systematic tracking for school-wide implementation outcomes.
Data-Based Decision Making
Establishing Universal Screening Data-Based Decision Making Guidelines (Tiers of Performance)
Screening data should bring clarity to student needs, not tears to your data meetings. When universal screening cut scores are uncalibrated or risk thresholds are applied inconsistently, leadership teams end up with overflowing Tier 2/3 lists, missed student needs, and wasted intervention resources.
"Tears or Tiers for Data Analysis?" is a practical decision-making resource designed to help school teams transform messy screening scores into clear, defensible tier placements. It provides a systematic framework for evaluating individual student performance against local norms so teams can quickly determine who is on track, who needs supplemental support, and how to allocate intervention capacity efficiently.
Key Areas of Focus
Defensible Cut-Score Calibration: How to move beyond generic publisher defaults to establish technically sound local risk thresholds.
Streamlined Risk Triaging: A quick-decision workflow for evaluating student scores immediately following seasonal screening benchmarks.
Tier Capacity Alignment: Structuring data analysis so Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions remain manageable and targeted rather than overwhelmed.
Data-Based Decision Integrity: Ensuring high-stakes placement decisions are supported by reliable, multi-source assessment data.
Read the Full Article: [Link to Blog Post]
Download Ohio Tiers of Performance Example
Secondary Reevaluations: "Making the Most of the Last Reevaluation"
- What it is: A framework for high school multidisciplinary teams to optimize the final three-year reevaluation, focusing on transition planning and post-secondary accommodations.