Duluth Public Schools introduces Minnesota MTSS action plan, shifts focus to adult instructional practices

Duluth Public School District officials told the school board committee of the whole that the district is implementing the Minnesota Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MN MTSS) model under guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and has created a district MTSS leadership team to oversee the work.

Assistant Superintendent Bonds and Director Spartz described the MN MTSS framework as including five components: infrastructure for continuous improvement, family and community engagement, multilayered practices and supports, assessment, and data‑based decision making. Director Spartz said the district received a grant last spring and hired staff with time explicitly dedicated to Minnesota MTSS work: "we got the grant last spring, and then we were able to hire a couple people...40% of the job is dedicated to the Minnesota MTSS work," (Director Spartz).

Why it matters: district leaders said the MN MTSS model is intended to braid existing initiatives across the district and move attention upstream to the adult practices that produce student outcomes. Rather than only measuring student test scores, district staff said they will monitor…