The VTmtss Framework Tools give SU/SD and school leadership teams a structure for assessing the strengths and areas of growth of their system and using that data to support the goals of their Continuous Improvement Plan. This suite of tools replaces the 2014 MTSS-RtII Self-Assessment.
How to Use these Tools
Although the VTmtss Framework Tools can be applied flexibly to support improvement work, the Agency of Education (AOE) recommends that school systems collaborate with the VTmtss Team to engage with them initially. A few benefits of a VTmtss Team member-facilitated use of the tools includes collation of System Screener data, familiarity with the CNA process, and expertise using the VTmtss Framework to guide equity conversations. The AOE acknowledges that time limitations may make that impractical or may not be necessary for school systems that already have a good understanding of the VTmtss Framework.
Ultimately, each school system’s point of entry along this sequence should be determined by that school systems’ needs—guidelines to use when considering your point of entry are included below, in addition to whatever considerations you may surface, internally. As a baseline, school systems should utilize the VTmtss System Screener, which will assess the strengths and areas of growth of their VTmtss Framework and VTmtss Driver Diagram, which will apply screener information to the examination of a specific problem of practice. Taken together, these tools will set up school systems to transition their tiered system of supports conversations into action planning, and tangible improvement outcomes.
Please note that several of the resources described below are currently being piloted. Anticipated pilot/publication dates are provided below. This list will be updated as those pilots conclude/as these resources become more widely available.
VTmtss System Screener
Publication: June 2020
Publication Revision: February 2023
VTmtss Sources for Informative Systems Data by Component
Description
This VTmtss System Screener provides school systems with a high-level analysis of their systemic strengths and areas of growth, framed within the five VTmtss Framework component characteristics and is a foundational part of engaging with the VTmtss suite of tools.
Completing this screener provides systems-level data when organizing and conducting a data inventory and will inform action planning in the VTmtss Driver Diagram during the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) process.
Who should use it?
We recommend this tool be completed by all leadership teams and school staffs to frame their continuous improvement work.
We recommend that this conversation be facilitated by someone familiar with the VTmtss Framework: Completing the VTmtss System Screener with a VTmtss facilitator leading the process saves the SU/school time and offers the opportunity for team members to have equal participation. Our facilitator will help you understand the process, provide a link to the Cognito Forms (an anonymous submission), compile individual screener responses from your team members into collective data, and lead a conversation with your team using the compiled data. Based on your SU or school’s individual strengths and areas of growth the data produced from this process can be applied to any new problems, goals or initiatives that develop throughout the school year, and the VTmtss facilitator is available for follow up consultation at any time. Contact Tracy.Watterson@vermont.gov to schedule your 20-minute planning call.
Facilitation support by the Agency of Education’s VTmtss Team is available upon request. Fill out the VTmtss Team Technical Assistance Request Form to request technical assistance or contact Tracy.Watterson@vermont.gov.
VTmtss Reflection Tools
Currently available on pages 89-101 of the VTmtss Field Guide 2019.
Description
The Reflection Tools, one for each of the five VTmtss components, are designed to encourage and promote deeper thinking about the specific components in VTmtss Framework.
The summary of these conversations should be included in the CNA process when organizing and conducting a data inventory and in the VTmtss Driver Diagram to inform action planning within a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP).
Who should use it?
We recommended this tool for schools who want or need to take a deeper dive a component(s) into of their VTmtss components, identified in the System Screener.
Each Reflection Tool is designed as a stand-alone resource; school systems can choose to engage with any one or a combination of these tools, and do not need to complete all five.
VTmtss Driver Diagram
Publication Revision: May 2022
Description
This tool is designed to help translate a priority problem of practice into a S.M.A.R.T. goal, change ideas and measurements featuring the VTmtss Framework Components as the primary drivers. Organizing the theory of improvement through the lens of the VTmtss Framework Components builds and refines the systemic structure already in place for improving academic and non-academic outcomes for all students.
Who should use it?
We recommend this tool be completed by all leadership teams and school staffs as part of their continuous improvement work.
We recommend that this conversation be facilitated by someone familiar with the VTmtss Framework and the Continuous Needs Assessment (CNA) process. Facilitation support by the Agency of Education’s VTmtss Team is available upon request. Fill out the VTmtss Team Technical Assistance Request Form to request technical assistance or contact Tracy.Watterson@vermont.gov.
District-level EST Oversight
Statute and typical current practice locate the Educational Support Team (EST) at the individual school level. However, the statute also states that school boards “shall assign responsibility “to either the superintendent or the principal to develop and maintain the EST. So, the EST itself operates at the school level but is overseen at the district level.
The Agency of Education (AOE) has identified several critical responsibilities that we recommend that SU/SD assume, as a part of their support of school-level EST work. These responsibilities can be assumed by a new team, or by an existing team of district staff and school administrators (see the Recommended Practices section). For the purposes of this guidance, the AOE will be referring to the LEA team conducting this work as the “District EST Oversight Team” This document describes the core responsibilities and recommended practices for district-wide EST oversight. The Making Connections with VTmtss Act 173 Needs Assessment for EST supports the evaluation of your current practice in a district and its schools.
Making Connections with VTmtss Needs Assessment Series
Piloting: 2023
NEW: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mental Health: Making Connections with VTmtss
- Online Form (For team data submission to the VTmtss Team)
- Print Copy (For individual use)
Act 173 Essential Elements
Coordinated Curriculum: Making Connections with VTmtss
- Online Form (For team data submission to the VTmtss Team)
- Print Copy (For individual use)
Educational Support Teams: Making Connections with VTmtss
- Online Form (For team data submission to the VTmtss Team)
- Print Copy (For individual use)
Local Comprehensive Assessment Systems: Making Connections with VTmtss
- Online Form (For team data submission to the VTmtss Team)
- Print Copy (For individual use)
Needs-based Professional Development: Making Connections with VTmtss
- Online Form (For team data submission to the VTmtss Team)
- Print Copy (For individual use)
Description
The Making Connections with VTmtss Act 173 Needs Assessment series consists of documents in a common format for evaluating current practice in a district and its schools. The series includes one document for each Systems Lever of Act 173 – Educational Support Teams, Local Comprehensive Assessment Systems, Coordinated Curriculum, and Needs-based Professional Development. This series has been revised as a needs assessment tool, ideally to be used in conjunction with the VTmtss Systems Screener, the VTmtss Framework, the VTmtss Driver Diagram, and continuous improvement goal setting. A recommended process for using these resources to assess and respond to your Act 173 Systems Lever needs can be found on this web page.
Making Connections with VTmtss
Family Engagement: Making Connections with VTmtss (Revision: January 2022)
School and Afterschool Programming Integration: Making Connections with VTmtss
Description
This series of Making Connections with VTmtss documents are not designed as self-assessment tools, but can also be used in conjunction with the VTmtss Systems Screener, the VTmtss Framework, the VTmtss Driver Diagram, and continuous improvement goal setting.
Who should use it?
We recommend these documents be used by leadership teams and school staff to frame their continuous improvement work and conversations be facilitated by someone familiar with the VTmtss Framework and Act 173.
Facilitation support by the Agency of Education’s VTmtss Team is available upon request. Fill out this form to request technical assistance or contact Tracy.Watterson@vermont.gov.
VTmtss in Action Vignettes
Currently available on pages 71-88 of the VTmtss Field Guide 2019.
Description
The VTmtss in Action Vignettes, are real-life examples of how the VTmtss Framework has been applied to different priority problems of practice within Vermont school systems.
Each vignette was written by school personnel involved in the work.
Who should use it?
We recommend individuals or teams of educators refer to these vignettes to familiarize themselves with the CNA process through the lens of the VTmtss Framework components.
