MTSS for the Whole Child: Align Systems & Elevate All Learners

Chronic absenteeism requires more than a single strategy or a single champion. It requires coordinated systems, trusted relationships, and data that drives action at every level. In this session, participants will build a shared vocabulary for discussing chronic absenteeism, examine the Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) as a practical, data informed action tool, and explore intervention strategies across the tiers of MTSS, including how family engagement and relationship building can address the barriers that data alone cannot see.
Whether you work in a building, a district office, or a regional agency, you will leave with a shared language, practical strategies, and a clearer sense of who your partners are in this work.

“What if every student could thrive in reading?” This session demonstrates how to make that a reality. Grounded in research on the learning hierarchy (Burns, 2018), explicit and systematic reading instruction (Lane, 2020), and MTSS-informed reading practices (Stollar, 2021), participants will explore an evidence-based literacy curriculum, benchmark and diagnostic assessments, and practical MTSS strategies. Attendees will work with real data to design Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions, turning insights into actionable instruction for all learners.

This session focuses on strengthening systems for the equitable inclusion of English Learners (ELs) within Michigan’s MTSS framework. Participants will explore Oakland Schools developed data tools and implementation guides, and focus on collaboration to build inclusive practices that support ELs within continuous improvement efforts. Emphasis will be placed on having a team-based approach while using comprehensive data to inform decisions, align supports, and create meaningful outcomes for English Learners.

Embedding school mental health supports within MTSS requires more than adopting programs or responding to crises—it demands a coherent, intentional systemic approach. This session challenges leadership teams to examine how their existing structures align, interact, and function as a whole. Participants will explore eight essential domains of a comprehensive school mental health system and be introduced to the School Mental Health Quality Assessment Tool to support continuous improvement. Attendees will be ready to lead their teams in meaningful reflection, strategic refinement, and purposeful redesign of practices across a tiered continuum of supports. 
 

This interactive session explores how schools can strengthen MTSS systems to support the whole child, especially students with neurodivergent needs who may not qualify for an IEP. Through the dual lens of a special education consultant and parent, participants will examine system gaps, align supports across tiers, and leave with actionable strategies to ensure every learner is seen, supported, and successful.

This session examines how Michigan school safety legislation—including threat assessment teams, mental health liaisons, and staff training—can be effectively integrated within an MTSS framework. Participants will engage in collaborative planning, explore mental health supports across all three tiers, and leave with actionable tools to align legal requirements with student-centered practices. Ideal for school leaders, support staff, and district teams seeking to strengthen safety and wellness systems. Explore how Michigan’s school safety legislation aligns with mental health supports in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This session offers practical tools and collaborative planning to help schools integrate required safety measures and mental health services across Tiers 1–3.

We’ve all asked it—and our teams have, too: Are we there yet? In an MTSS framework, putting an intervention in place is only half the journey. The real challenge is accurately determining whether that intervention is actually moving the needle for our students. Designed for a diverse audience of administrators, MTSS coordinators, classroom teachers, and ancillary staff, this interactive breakout session moves past the theory of progress monitoring and dives straight into practical, real-world application. Together, we will explore how to leverage existing assessment data to evaluate intervention impact with confidence. Instead of just looking at spreadsheets, you will participate in collaborative activities and walk away with simple, plug-and-play frameworks and tools you can implement immediately. Learn how to streamline your data meetings, align your multidisciplinary team, and take the guesswork out of your MTSS decision-making.