Page 64 - Superintendent Report 2023-24

Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Problem Solving/School Based Teams
Problem-Solving/School Based Teams (PS/SBTs) are multidisciplinary teams on each school campus tasked with problem-
solving across the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Framework. These teams are in place to support all students’
academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs. The PS/SBT acts as a vehicle that ensures a safe and supportive school
climate that promotes all students’ social/emotional and academic development. It is meant to be preventative and
proactive. The PS/SBT follows the four-step problem-solving process to remove student learning barriers. The PS/SBT
meets weekly, biweekly, or sometimes more frequently to address immediate barriers.

Additional referrals to the PS/SBT include those students who may have academic or behavioral barriers to learning. The
PS/SBT reviews multiple data sources to inform their decisions. If interventions are deemed necessary, they are provided
through a continuum of support based on need. All students receive core instruction (tier 1). Some students may not respond
to core instruction and need supplemental instruction/intervention (tier 2). A few students may not respond to core and
supplemental instruction, requiring additional intensive intervention (tier 3). Interventions are monitored to ensure fidelity
through frequent progress monitoring using evidence-based tools determine student response to intervention.

In FY23, the department addressed the needs of 24,992 students in 128 schools as a result of PS/SBT meetings. Out of these
meetings, 3,608 cases addressed mandatory referrals. Mandatory referrals included students experiencing homelessness,
students in foster care, students receiving a discipline referral marked with an asterisk in the Student Code of Conduct, re-
entry following a hospitalization under the Florida Mental Health Act, re-entry after alternative education or Department
of Juvenile Justice placement, teen parents, and before Hospital Homebound consideration.

The MTSS District team hosts Regional Collaborative meetings annually. These collaborative meetings included speakers
from multiple initiatives across the District. District leaders from the Departments of Exceptional Student Education,
Multicultural Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, School Behavioral & Mental Health, Support
Services, School Psychological Services, and Safe Schools met to update initiatives that may impact problem-solving. Core
team members from each District school attended, including school-based team leaders, school psychologists, and ESE
coordinators. In FY23, close to 500 team members participated in the Regional Collaborative. These meetings continue to
be informative and critical to ensuring teams address the needs of all students in the District.

64 // Superintendent Annual Report 2022 - 2023