Deepen Your MTSS Expertise This Summer with New Asynchronous Mini-Course Series

Are you ready to grow your Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) knowledge and practice? This summer, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer a three-part, fully asynchronous MTSS Mini-Course Series. Each 28-day course builds on the last—complete Course 1 to unlock Course 2, and finish Course 2 to gain access to Course 3.

MTSS Mini-Course Series Overview

Course	Release Date	Close Date	Prerequisite	Focus
Course 1: MTSS Foundations	June 15	July 13	None	Core MTSS principles and Maine policy context
Course 2: MTSS Leadership Practices and Teaming Structures	July 15	August 12	Course 1	Leadership roles and teaming practices
Course 3: MTSS and Special Education – A Crosswalk Course	August 15	September 12	Course 2	Connections between MTSS and special education

How It Works

Register for Course 1 by June 12 at midnight using this link.
Course 1 opens on June 15. Complete all modules and the final activity by July 13.
Course 2 unlocks for those who completed Course 1 on July 15. Complete by August 12.
Course 3 unlocks for those who completed Course 2 on August 15. Complete by September 12.
All courses close exactly 28 days after opening. No late enrollments or extensions will be available.

Why Participate?

Stackable Learning: Master each MTSS component before moving to the next.
Flexible and Asynchronous: Engage with readings, videos, and discussions at your own pace.
Maine-Focused: Learn practical strategies aligned with Maine DOE guidance and equity goals.
Professional Recognition: Earn a digital badge for each course. Complete all three to receive a Summer MTSS Series certificate.

Earn Contact Hours

Receive one contact hour per module (up to four per course; 12 total).
Earn up to 10 additional hours for attending the optional weekly course office hours.

Stay Connected

Join Office Hours: Drop in every Thursday at 9 a.m. for collaborative MTSS discussion and support.
Plan Ahead: Block out 30 minutes twice a week to stay on track.

Let’s make this summer the season that you transform your MTSS knowledge and practice. For questions, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov.

You’re Invited! Join the Conversation About Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Practices in Maine

Educators across Maine are invited to participate in facilitated discussions this spring regarding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). These discussions will provide an opportunity for educators to share their experiences, explore best practices, and address challenges in implementing MTSS across academics, behavior, social-emotional learning, and attendance supports.

These virtual meetings offer a space for collaboration, reflection, and contribution to the ongoing development of MTSS in Maine.

There are six virtual sessions available throughout March of 2025, tailored to different grade levels:

Elementary (pre-K through grades 5 and 6): March 4, 6, and 12 (3-4:30 p.m.)
Middle school (grades 5 and 6 through 8): March 18 and 20 (2:30-4 p.m.)
High school (grades 9 through 12): March 26 (2:30-4 p.m.)

Middle school educators (grades 5 and 6 through 8) may choose to attend either the middle or high school sessions, depending on what best aligns with their student population. Educators may register for multiple sessions but must sign up individually for each.

Why attend?

Your voice matters! Join fellow educators to collaborate, share experiences, and drive meaningful improvements in MTSS practices statewide. These discussions will inform future professional development opportunities and school support initiatives, ensuring educators have the tools and resources they need to effectively support every student.

Registration:

Elementary Session #1: March 4, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Elementary Session #2: March 6, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Elementary Session #3: March 12, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Middle School Session #1: March 18, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.
Middle School Session #2: March 20, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.
High School Session: March 26, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is looking forward to your participation and valuable insights, as we strengthen MTSS across Maine! For more information, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov or 207-592-2011.

New MTSS Cohort Opportunity to Equip Principals in Leading Equity-based MTSS for Student Supports

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is thrilled to announce an innovative training program that will empower school principals to champion equity-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for comprehensive student success.

Implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support is a requirement in Maine schools. The purpose of this learning cohort is to provide training and support to Maine school principals and related personnel with the design and implementation of MTSS frameworks that provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary for addressing the diverse needs of students and to promote school and student success effectively. By adopting a schoolwide MTSS, schools can foster a culture of academic, behavior, social/mental health, and attendance support, early intervention, and data-driven decision-making, ultimately leading to improved growth and achievement rates and better outcomes for all students.

Participants in this cohort will:

Build capacity to design and effectively lead schoolwide MTSS across grades PK-12
Develop knowledge and skills to make MTSS a part of the school culture to ensure valuable work in high-leverage student supports that can be blended and braided into a cohesive system that leads to longterm positive impact,
Convene relevant stakeholders into MTSS leadership teams that are prepared to utilize research-based strategies for identifying areas of concern/need, assessing identified problems, selecting solutions, creating targeted plans, and monitoring outcomes that cross all school domains (reading, mathematics, behavior, social and emotional/mental health, and attendance)
Explore and learn how to use a variety of MTSS implementation tools and resources that are used to assess and build readiness for MTSS implementation, assist principals in aligning initiatives and layering support for maximum impact and long-term sustainability, and facilitate the identification of existing or future barriers that may have a negative impact on the implementation of MTSS and provide action steps for removing barriers to aid in successful MTSS implementation.

The MTSS cohort will take place through a hybrid of synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions from October 2024 through December 2024, utilizing both live in-person and virtual sessions, including onsite school visits, small group in-person team-based workshop events at a centralized location, and a 2-day whole group in-person convening at a location to be determined.

Please attend the online information session for more detailed information regarding the timeline, commitment requirements, and in-person meeting location(s).

Monday, September 16th from 3:30-4:30 pm – Register here.

The program is open to PK-12 principals and any of their designated MTSS Team members. Applications for participation will open after September 9th and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through September 26th until all slots are filled. All schools will be notified of their application status no later than September 27th, with virtual learning sessions to begin the week of October 7th.

For further questions, you can reach out to Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist, via email (andrea.logan@maine.gov) or by phone (207-592-2011) Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM.

Office Hours: Multi-Tiered System of Support Framework

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning, Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) team is pleased to offer office hours focused on Maine’s MTSS Framework beginning Friday, October 4th at 10am, and occurring every first Friday of the month thereafter.

The first half of each session will provide a comprehensive overview of Maine’s MTSS framework. The second half of the session will be open to questions/problems of practice brought up by attending participants. Sessions are meant to be a time for educators and administrators across the learning continuum to come together to learn about the framework, ask questions, celebrate successes, and/or work through problems of practice in MTSS implementation. These sessions are MTSS Framework-specific and are offered as a space for educators to bring their voices to the table.

Register for MTSS Framework Office Hours here. You only need to register once and you may attend as many weeks as you like! Office hours are offered as part of the Maine DOE’s MTSS Technical Assistance program and are meant for your use and discussion. You are welcome to stay for the full hour or to join for just a portion of the sessions.

For more information, contact Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov or by calling (207) 592-2011.

Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Implementation Toolbox Series

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce a new learning series for the 2024-2025 school year.

Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its strength lies in its flexibility and ability to be tailored to each school’s specific context. While the core principles of MTSS—data-based decision-making, layered support, and continuous progress monitoring—are universally applicable, the implementation strategies and tools need to be customized to fit your school’s unique challenges and goals.

The tools you choose to integrate into your MTSS framework can make a significant difference. From assessing student needs to providing targeted interventions, the right tools can streamline processes, improve outcomes, and enhance overall effectiveness. Our MTSS Toolbox Series is designed with these complexities in mind. Each month’s session will focus on a different MTSS tool, offering you insights into how it can be used effectively within your own framework. Here’s what you can expect by participating in this series:

A New Tool Each Month: Each session will explore a specific MTSS tool, providing an in-depth look at its features, benefits, and applications. Whether it is a recommended text, an intervention strategy, or a new assessment tool, we’ll explore how each tool fits into a broader MTSS system and how it can be adapted to each school’s unique needs.
Practical Applications: Each session will focus on bridging theory into practice by highlighting tools that can be implemented to solve various instruction and intervention needs. Tools will be selected based on their ability to be implemented so that educators and students can benefit from their application.
Customization and Support: Because each school’s needs are different, this series will also address how each tool can be adapted to fit various contexts, from PK through Grade 12. The goal is to help you identify which tools align best with your specific needs and how to customize their use for maximum impact.
Interactive Learning: Engage with fellow educators, share experiences, and participate in cooperative learning. These sessions are designed to be interactive, allowing you to collaborate with your peers and gain insights from their experiences.

Participating in MTSS Toolbox sessions offers several key benefits.

Enhanced Understanding: Gain a deeper understanding of Maine’s MTSS Framework and tools you can use to implement the framework
Improved Outcomes: Learn how to integrate and modify these tools into your schools’ MTSS framework
Tailored Strategies: Discover how to adapt tools to meet your school’s specific needs
Professional Growth: Stay current with best practices in MTSS implementation and continuous school improvement

Below is a breakdown of the planned topics for each month. Sessions will be held monthly at 3:30 pm. Participants can register through the Maine DOE Professional Learning Calendar found at this link. You will need to register individually for each session that you want to attend.

September 11th, 2024: MTSS around the Maine DOE: BARR, SPDG, EASE, Count Me In, A-List, MLL, School Improvement – In this Toolbox session, participants will learn about all of the MTSS initiatives happening across the Maine DOE. Registration link.
October 2nd, 2024: Instructional Support Matrix Tool and Student Intervention Progress Note Tool – In this toolbox session, participants will get a first look at two Maine DOE-created implementation support tools: Instructional support matrix tool and student intervention progress note tool. Registration Link.
November 6th, 2024: All about Evidence-Based Improvement Tools—West Ed, a research organization specializing in research-based and evidence-based practices, offers some amazing capacity-building tools for improving evidence-based implementation. In this toolbox session, we will explore a few of these tools and discuss how they can be applied to your MTSS implementation framework. Registration Link.
December 4th, 2024: Field Trip! Exploring the SWIFT Center, University of Florida MTSS Modules, NIRN (National Implementation Research Network), and the IRIS Center – In this session, we will go on a virtual field trip to explore 4 exceptional websites focused on improving your skills for MTSS implementation. Registration Link.
January 8th, 2025: Funding (MTSS)—In this toolbox session, participants will explore various funding streams and ways to fund MTSS in their school. Registration Link.
February 5th, 2025: Continuous Improvement Processes: Instructional Rounds, 4-Step Problem Solving Process—In this toolbox session, we will explore two evidence-based practices for identifying and addressing practice and intervention planning’s implementation problems. Registration Link.
March 5th 2025: Books Talk: Suggested books for schoolwide MTSS Implementation – This session will feature (4) mini-book talks as we explore the uses and benefits of 4 highly valuable books for MTSS framework building and implementation: Effective Universal Instruction, Leading Equity-based MTSS for All Students, The Road to Success with MTSS, and Demystifying MTSS. You do not have to have read these books to join the discussion, but I welcome anyone who has read any or all of these books to join and enrich the conversation. Registration Link.
April 2nd, 2025: Exploring the Hexagon Tool—In this toolbox session, we will examine the Hexagon evaluation tool. This evidence-based tool assesses your capacity for evaluating, selecting, and implementing MTSS practices. Registration Link.
May 7th, 2025: Training Planning Template—In this toolbox session, we will examine a tool designed to support the necessary adult behavior change to implement MTSS Frameworks effectively. Registration Link.
June 4th, 2025: Action Planning—In this toolbox session, we will explore various action planning tools and templates that will help schools prepare for the upcoming school year and beyond. Registration Link.

For questions or for more information, please contact Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov.

New Learning Cohort Opportunity to Equip Principals in Leading Equity-Based MTSS for Student Supports; Info Session on 10/23

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is thrilled to announce the launch of an innovative training program aimed at empowering school principals to champion equity-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for comprehensive student success.

Implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support is a requirement in Maine schools. The purpose of this learning cohort is to provide training and support to Maine school principals and related personnel with design and implementation of MTSS frameworks that provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary for addressing the diverse needs of students and to promote school and student success effectively. By adopting a schoolwide MTSS, schools can foster a culture of academic, behavior, social/mental health, and attendance support, early intervention, and data-driven decision-making, ultimately leading to improved growth and achievement rates and better outcomes for all students.

Participants in this cohort will:

Build capacity to design and effectively lead schoolwide MTSS across grades PK-12
Develop knowledge and skills to make MTSS a part of the school culture to ensure valuable work in high-leverage student supports can be blended and braided into a cohesive system of school supports that leads to long-time positive impact
Convene relevant stakeholders into MTSS leadership teams that are prepared to utilize research-based strategies for identifying areas of concern/need, assessing identified problems, selecting solutions, create targeted plans, and monitor outcomes that crosses all school domains (reading, mathematics, behavior, social and emotional/mental health, and attendance)
Explore and learn how to use a variety of MTSS implementation tools and resources that are used to assess and build readiness for MTSS implementation, assist principals in aligning initiatives and layering support for maximum impact and long-term sustainability, and facilitate the identification of existing or future barriers that may have a negative impact on the implementation of MTSS and provide action steps for removing barriers to aid in successful MTSS implementation

The MTSS cohort will take place through a hybrid of synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions from November 2023 through June 2024 utilizing both live in-person and virtual sessions including (3) in- person team-based workshop events at a centralized location to be determined and taking place on the approximate timeline of end of November 2023, mid-January 2024, and mid-March 2024. Weekly 1-hour online learning sessions will begin November 12.

For more detailed information regarding the timeline, commitment requirements, and in-person meeting location(s), please attend an online information session on Monday, October 23rd from 3:30 to 4:30.

Applications for participation will open following the informational session and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through November 1^st until all slots are filled. All schools will be notified of their application status no later than November 3rd with virtual learning sessions to begin the week of November 12.

The program is open to PK-12 principals and any of their designated MTSS Team members. To register for the informational webinar, you can visit the Maine DOE Professional Learning Calendar, or click this link to register.

For further questions, you can reach out to Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist, via email (andrea.logan@maine.gov) or by phone (207-592-2011) Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM.

MTSS Office Hours – Wednesday’s at 1:00 PM

The Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) team at the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to offer Open Office Hours focusing on technical assistance for all educators currently implementing, exploring implementing or looking to make changes to their MTSS implementation. Sessions are meant to be a time for educators and administrators across the learning continuum, from special education to gifted and talented to come together to ask questions, celebrate successes, and/or work through problems of practice in MTSS implementation. These sessions are not content-specific and are offered as a space for educators to bring their voices to the table.

To register for MTSS office hours, please follow this link, here.

Office hours are offered as part of the Maine DOE’s MTSS Technical Assistance program and are meant for your use and discussion; you can join for the full hour, r just a part; for each session, or only when you have a question. For more information, contact Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov or by calling (207) 592-2011.

Making Math Meaningful For All: Math4ME is Accepting Applications for Newest Cohort

Math4ME is a free, three-year, whole-school project designed to support all educators (classroom teachers, special educators, ed techs, and interventionists) to strengthen math proficiency for all learners with a specific focus on increased math proficiency for students with math IEP goals. The project will focus around building positive math school communities and classrooms, mathematical content and pedagogical skills, supporting inclusionary practices through MTSS, and formative assessment including the Early Mathematics Diagnostic Interview (EMDI).

For more details about the Math4ME project check out the informational video.

We are accepting applications for the newest cohort until April 15, 2023. Math4ME Application

We will hold a virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 4:00 PM. Register here in advance for this meeting.

For questions or more information contact Susan Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov or Jen Robitaille, jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov.

Math4ME: Engage Families in Mathematics

Is your school hoping to engage families in mathematics? Math4ME is for YOU!!

Math4ME is a free, three-year, K-5, whole-school project designed to support all educators (classroom teachers, special educators, ed techs, and interventionists) to strengthen math proficiency for all learners with a specific focus on increased math proficiency for students with math IEP goals.

Math4ME Application Form

“I liked the breakout groups and providing different ways to solve the problems. It helped close the gap in my way of thinking.” – Math4ME Participant

“It gave me ideas of what to think about in regards to delving more deeply into NWEA scores and how to use some of this information to inform both my instruction and the writing of IEP goals.” – Math4ME Participant

For more information contact: Susan Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov

Math4ME: Building a Positive Math Culture Within Your School

Are you looking to increase math confidence in students and staff and build a positive math culture within your school?

Math4ME is for YOU!!

Math4ME Application Form

“I really enjoy these conversations with other Maine teachers and the Math4ME coaches. I feel much more confident as a math instructor now that I am doing this. I appreciate it so much!” – Math4ME Participant

“Doing the assessment form together today and making an action plan made me feel more confident in the process.” – Math4ME Participant

For more information contact: Susan Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov