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DCG middle school leadership outlines MTSS, PBIS and special‑education improvements
Summary
The Dallas Center‑Grimes middle school leadership team presented a multi‑year plan emphasizing MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support), PBIS-style behavior work, special‑education stability and co‑taught courses; 6th‑grade BizTown activities and professional development plans were also highlighted.
At the Dallas Center‑Grimes Community School District board meeting, the middle school leadership team provided a progress report on building priorities, saying the building has prioritized a districtwide MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support) approach alongside targeted work on behavior systems and special education.
Anne Dodge, interim principal at the middle school, said the building leadership team (BLT) met in a summer retreat to set priorities for 5th and 6th grade instruction and culture. The BLT identified MTSS for academics and behavior as the leading focus for the year and is scheduling time for building‑level professional learning communities (PLCs). A consultant, Emily Donovan, will begin district‑wide MTSS supports with administrators on Feb. 11, the district said.
Staff presented planned steps to create common expectations, teach and reinforce behavior across school settings and expand tiered interventions. The team said the goal is to move from variable building practices toward a more coherent tier‑1 approach that still honors effective local strategies.
Special education staff reported improved staffing and weekly professional collaboration. The building plans to explore a co‑taught math section next year and to strengthen transition protocols for incoming fifth graders by coordinating scheduling and IEP information across the elementary feeder schools.
The team described one current arrangement in which a student with special education needs continues to receive services through a therapeutic classroom run by Winterset; DCG is temporarily paying to preserve the student's in‑place supports while the family relocated into the district. The district said the case involves a single student and that specific costs were not provided at the meeting.
Staff also described a recent Junior Achievement BizTown experience for sixth graders designed to teach financial literacy and career readiness. A series of preparatory lessons led to on‑site simulations in December; students spoke in the presentation about roles such as CFO and food manager and the practical lessons on saving and budgeting.
District‑level professional development highlights were also discussed, including a January 20 full‑day PD and the rollout of new ELA curriculum materials (MyView and MyPerspectives in identified grades) and summer training on UFLI early literacy materials. Building leaders said these curriculum and PD steps are intended to feed teacher efficacy and district goals tied to ESSA data review and future ISASP measures.
Board members asked for a summary of consultant Emily Donovan's initial findings and the district agreed to provide a report at the next board meeting. Staff characterized the implementation timeline as multi‑year and stressed that staffing and budget considerations will shape pace of adoption.
