From Starting Strong to Staying Strong: MTSS Priorities for the Third Month of School

By the third month of the school year, schools have moved beyond the excitement of the first few weeks and into the important work of monitoring, adjusting, and refining supports for students. Intervention groups are underway, data is accumulating, and teams are gaining a clearer picture of student needs. This is the time to analyze initial intervention cycles, review results, and make adjustments to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.

Check the Health of Your Intervention System

As intervention cycles reach the six-week mark, it’s important to determine whether supports are being implemented with fidelity and producing the intended results.  Branching Minds highlights the importance of monitoring intervention implementation and using data to guide next steps for students.

Ask your team:

• Are interventions occurring consistently as scheduled?
• Is progress-monitoring data being collected regularly?
• Are students demonstrating growth toward their goals?
• Do intervention plans need adjustment, intensification, or continuation?

Strong decisions begin with reliable implementation and quality data.

Use Data to Drive Decision-Making

Now is the time to gather intervention teams and review student outcomes. Focus conversations on student response to instruction, rates of improvement, and intervention fidelity. When students are not making anticipated progress, teams can problem-solve early rather than waiting until concerns become larger obstacles. MTSS is designed to provide timely support through ongoing review and adjustment of interventions based on student performance data.

Schedule Student Support Team Meetings

For students needing additional problem-solving, MTSS Leadership Team meetings can help identify barriers and establish clear action plans. These meetings are most productive when teams arrive with current progress-monitoring data, implementation information, and specific questions to address.

Remember: the goal is not simply to identify challenges but to develop actionable solutions that move students forward.

Look Ahead to Winter Screening

The middle-of-year screening window may seem distant, but planning now helps ensure a smooth process later. Schools can begin confirming dates, organizing logistics, preparing staff, and reviewing student assessment needs. Advance planning allows teams to focus on analyzing results rather than troubleshooting logistics when the window arrives.

Leverage What You’re Learning

The first few months of implementation often reveal areas where staff may benefit from additional support. Consider using current data and observations to identify winter professional learning needs such as:

• Explicit instruction
• Intervention fidelity
• Academic feedback
• Progress monitoring
• Data-based decision-making
• Behavioral supports

When professional learning aligns with school-wide needs, teams are better equipped to sustain high-quality implementation.

✅ Month 3 MTSS Quick Check

Sidebar Checklist

□ Review intervention attendance and schedules
□ Verify intervention fidelity and documentation
□ Analyze 6-week progress-monitoring data
□ Determine which students need intervention adjustments
□ Schedule Student Support Team meetings as needed
□ Document intervention decisions and next steps
□ Begin planning for winter universal screening
□ Organize screening logistics and staff responsibilities
□ Identify professional learning needs from current data
□ Celebrate student growth and staff successes!

A Final Thought

Month three is a pivotal point in the school year. The systems and decisions made now help ensure students receive the right support at the right time. By monitoring implementation, reviewing outcomes, and planning proactively, schools can sustain momentum and continue building a strong MTSS framework for all learners.

Source: Adapted from resources and planning guidance provided by ‘ MTSS Month-by-Month Checklists and MTSS Playbook Series. [branchingminds.com], [branchingminds.com], [5825404.fs…nt-na1.net]