Superintendent and MTSS team outline district plan, link CKLA adoption to tiered supports

The Bethel Park School District's leadership presented a district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) update explaining how a consistent core curriculum and tiered interventions will work together to support students.

Superintendent Dr. Walsh introduced district presenters and said MTSS alignment is central to the strategic plan. Presenters described MTSS as a three-tier framework: tier 1 (universal core instruction), tier 2 (targeted small-group interventions divided into 2a in-class interventions and 2b MTSS specialist supports) and tier 3 (intensive, individualized interventions). "A true MTSS structure has a universal screening methodology looking at academics," a presenter said, adding that behavioral and social-emotional learning are included in the system.

Presenters emphasized the district's focus on consistent implementation and progress monitoring. They cited MAP growth and MAP fluency as progress measures and described a plan to collect consistent data points for progress monitoring and to align tools and instruction with universal screeners. The presenters said the district has piloted PBIS at Ben Franklin and used "SOAR" (safety, ownership, attitude and respect) as an example of building-level positive behavior interventions.

Goals articulated for next year include implementation fidelity for CKLA (the recommended core curriculum), establishing consistent data collection points, and an aspirational target that 80 percent of students meet benchmarks measured by PSSA and MAP tests. Presenters also described reorganizing flex-time schedules to make intervention time skill-specific and aligning social workers, school psychologists and specialists to triage students and deliver targeted supports.

Board members asked how results will be measured; presenters pointed to MAP growth data, MAP fluency progress monitoring and building-level data protocols. The presenters acknowledged work remains on tier 3 delivery and said district teams will continue piloting structures to increase intensity and duration where needed.

The board did not take a separate policy vote on MTSS during the presentation; the MTSS discussion served as background for curriculum and implementation decisions the district is making this year.