Federal Grant to Provide Coaching to Washington Districts on Multi-Tiered System of Supports
OLYMPIA — January 14, 2021 — The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) was awarded a five-year, $5.3 million grant from the Office of Special Education Services at the U.S. Department of Education. OSPI submitted the proposal to build regional coaching capacity to support districts in their Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation.
The Washington MTSS Framework is an organizational approach for districts and schools to create equitable and consistent, yet flexible, systems and supports that support the success of every student.
In Washington schools, African American and Native American students are two-and-a-half times more likely to be suspended or expelled from school, and students with disabilities are more than three-and-a-half times more likely to be excluded. For student groups who face significant opportunity gaps, disparities in academic growth and attainment also persist under current approaches.
When implemented correctly and consistently, MTSS can significantly improve outcomes for all students and narrow gaps in academic growth, discipline, and other outcomes for African American, Native American, and other students of color, students with disabilities, and others who have experienced significant opportunity gaps.
The new State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) will fund regional MTSS Implementation Coordinators in five regions of the state, based in Anacortes, Pasco, Renton, Vancouver, and Wenatchee. Additional grant funds awarded to OSPI’s Office of System and School Improvement to support coordinator positions in two additional regions, based in Spokane and Tumwater.
Establishing this support for districts is a critical and urgent need for improving outcomes for students. Districts will apply to participate in the project, and selected districts will work with coordinators to establish MTSS teams, structures, and policies at the district level. With this support, schools can develop effective collaboration through MTSS teams, use data to improve services for students, select and implement evidence-based practices, and meaningfully engage family and community members.
