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Data analysis and decision making occur at all levels of MTSS implementation, from individual students to the district level. Teams use screening and progress monitoring data to make decisions about instruction, movement within the multi-level prevention system, intensification of instruction and supports, and identification of students with disabilities (in accordance with state law). Teams use implementation data to evaluate the extent to which their assessments, interventions, and supports have been implemented as intended and identify areas of improvement.
Supporting effective data-based decision making in NDMTSS requires attention to three components:
Balanced Assessment System: A balanced assessment system seeks to ensure valid and relevant data for decision making. This system supports several categories of student and adult data to inform data-based decision making: (1) student learning and well-being data, (2) demographic data, (3) perceptual data (student and adult), (4) process data – fidelity, needs assessment and gap analysis. [Nebraska MTSS]
*Adapted from MTSS 4 Success
Data-based decision making facilitates cycles of continuous improvement and builds capacity for implementation that is culturally and contextually relevant, sustainable, and promotes implementation fidelity.
Data-based decision making (DBDM) is an important part of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) because it helps educators to identify the academic and behavioral needs of students, monitor their progress, and provide appropriate interventions. Data-based decision making involves collecting data, monitoring each student’s individual performance, and designing and implementing strategies and levels of support necessary so each learner can succeed1. Data-based decision making also helps to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and intervention, and to guide problem-solving and decision making within MTSS teams2.
Therefore, data-based decision making is a key component of MTSS that supports the whole child and maximizes student achievement.
North Dakota’s Multi-Tier System of Supports (NDMTSS) is a framework to provide all students with the best opportunities to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally in school. NDMTSS focuses on providing high-quality instruction and interventions matched to student need, monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about changes in instruction or goals. Data is used to allocate resources to improve student learning and support staff implementation of effective practices.
