Multi-Tiered Systems of Support On-Line Course: Session 7

Session 7. The Economics and Ethics of Effective Instruction and Early Intervention Services: Where to Invest Your MTSS Time and Effort [1 hour, 38 minutes]

Contents and Brief Description

Overview
Prevention and Early Intervention Challenges and Realities
The Cost Savings and Student Impact of Effective Prevention Programs
MTSS Investments that Make Prevention Programs Cost- and Outcome-Effective

This Session first identifies some of the common financial, personnel, and other arguments that are often made by districts when considering preventative services for students with academic and/or social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. These arguments are countered with data from long-term studies that demonstrate the cost- and time-effectiveness of preventative services, and their positive impacts of students into adulthood.

The Session continues with discussions on a number of significant investments that districts can make that increase the success of preventative services. These investments relate to (a) Staff recruitment; (b) professional development; (c) teacher mentoring, coaching, and supervision; (d) how districts grant tenure; (e) the use of data management or student information systems; and (f) shared leadership committee structures and grade-level/trans-disciplinary planning and teaming.

The Session finishes by demonstrating the cost savings that result when districts and schools use the MTSS “First Things First” process (discussed in an earlier Session), IDEA’s 15% prevention provision, and when they decrease the number of special education referrals of students that most MTSS Team members know will not qualify.

Feature Presentation