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Muscogee County adjusts district improvement goals, adopts Georgia MTSS fidelity measures and expands science‑of‑reading training
Summary
District staff updated the board on changes to district improvement goals and fidelity measures, including adoption of the Georgia MTSS school and district fidelity tools, a target for 80% educator participation in a teaching and learning blueprint, and ongoing science‑of‑reading professional development.
Stephanie Dalton, district director responsible for the district improvement plan (DIP), updated the board July 21 on MCSD’s goals, action steps and adjustments to measurement tools tied to student supports and professional development.
Dalton said the district revised a previous target and will use the Georgia MTSS School Fidelity Tool (SFT) and the Georgia MTSS District Fidelity Tool (DFT) to measure implementation of multi‑tiered supports. The district set an initial goal for 50% of MCSD schools to reach 70% or higher on the school tool while the district seeks to reach comparable fidelity on the district tool. “We will be using the Georgia MTSS school fidelity tool,” Dalton said, and added the change reflects a state modification to the measurement rubric.
District action steps Dalton listed include continuing professional development in tier‑1 instruction, expanded training in the science of reading and structured literacy for elementary and special education staff, establishing district progress‑monitoring goals, and strengthening protocols for data teams and PLCs. Dalton said the district adjusted targets to allow time to train employees on the new fidelity instruments.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the fidelity tool and counselor workload. Dalton called up Dr. Kenya Gilmore to describe the tool as school and district rubrics “asking about best practices…tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3.” Superintendent David Lewis acknowledged statewide counselor caseloads remain high and said the district is trying to limit non‑counseling duties for counselors so they can spend more time in direct student contact.
Why it matters: Moving to the Georgia MTSS fidelity rubrics changes how the district will measure implementation of interventions and requires training, new progress‑monitoring protocols and additional coaching. District leaders framed the changes as aligned with state guidance and necessary to improve tier‑2 and tier‑3 supports for students at risk academically or behaviorally.
No formal board vote on these measurement adjustments was recorded July 21; Dalton described next steps and training plans for the coming year.
