District 131 gives overview of MTSS rollout and next steps for buildings

District staff joined the Aurora East USD 131 curriculum meeting to present an update on the districtwide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) intended to provide proactive, data-driven academic, attendance and behavioral supports for every student.

Presenters (Dr. Teresa Vemmer, Rosary Horn, and Robin Dixon) described how MTSS is intended to reduce inappropriate special education referrals by identifying needs early and matching supports to data. Early-learning screening tools cited include the Ages & Stages questionnaire and DRDP; K–12 screening for social-emotional learning uses SATchel Pulse, and the district uses MAP and other universal screeners for academics. The district also cited Second Step as a tier 1 SEL curriculum and noted use of behaviorists and board-certified behavior analysts at higher tiers.

Current work includes reviewing tier 1 screener data, strengthening documentation of interventions and family problem-solving, building a shared understanding of MTSS roles across buildings, and establishing tier 1–3 teams in each school. The district said it plans to develop customized dashboards to analyze real-time data and strengthen home–school partnerships.

Board members asked how MTSS works in practice for classroom teachers. Presenters walked through a typical path: a teacher raises a concern in PLC, building-level MTSS teams review screening and screener follow-ups (MAP for academics, Second Step for SEL, attendance data for chronic absence), choose prescribed interventions, and conduct progress monitoring every six weeks to determine if supports should continue, change, or escalate. The district emphasized PLCs, flowcharts, and joint committees as mechanisms to keep the process consistent across buildings.

The presentation was informational; no board vote took place.