Data-based Decision Making in MTSS for Behavior
What is Data-based Decision Making for MTSS for Behavior?
Easy to access visual graphs of office discipline referral (ODR) data are needed at the local school level for MTSS for behavior implementation efforts. Many of the district programs that analyze ODR data were created for state and national reporting purposes. These programs are usually not set up for local school-based decision making and may need to be adapted.
An important first step for the district leadership team is to evaluate the current ODR software systems. To implement MTSS for behavior, there are some requirements that any current software system should be able to meet. First, school teams must be able to access visual graphs easily and efficiently throughout the school day. School teams will be meeting on a regular basis and will be presenting data to faculty at staff meetings and in-services. If the process for obtaining visual graphs of ODRs is too time-intensive, then data-based decision making will not occur. In addition, student improvement teams should also be able to access data for individual students referred for academic and behavioral concerns.
Teams should be able to obtain more than simple overall counts of ODRs each month. Instead, a more useful graph is based on average referrals per day per month. By viewing ODRs by average referrals per day per month, school teams can easily see patterns that may not be visible in a simple overall all-monthly count. For instance, an overall count in December may be lower due to fewer school days when compared to a month such as October. The rates of average referrals per day may actually be higher in December; however, this will not be readily apparent in a total monthly ODR count because of fewer days in the month. To demonstrate this concept, look at the following graphs showing the same data but graphed either by total ODRs each month or average referrals per day per month.
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School teams should also be able to access the number of ODRs by location (classroom, cafeteria, hallway, etc.), by time of day, by type of problem behavior, and by individual student. Together, with average referrals per day per month, these graphs become “the Big Five”. Each school can then create its own individual school behavior triangle.
In addition, schools will need to be able to access “the Big Five” for individual student reports. These graphs are used within the student improvement team process to assist in problem-solving at Tiers 2 and 3, when individualized plans are needed for students with chronic or persistent problem behavior.
Click here for a checklist summary that can be used to evaluate your ODR system.
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What Kinds of Software Programs are Available for MTSS for Behavior?
Some districts decide to modify their existing software programs to be able to access visual graphs for local school decision making. The district team will need to assess the adequacy of the current system and investigate further to see whether the current system can provide the “Big Five” for individual schools. It can be helpful to invite district information technology specialists and professionals responsible for evaluation to join the district MTSS for behavior leadership team to assist with this issue.
Districts without access to this type of reporting process can consider using the School-wide Information System (SWIS). SWIS is an ODR software program that was created specifically for school-wide positive behavior support efforts (see www.swis.org).
This software program is an effective tool for schools implementing MTSS for behavior. The fees charged are only used to maintain the system. The SWIS program costs $250 per year for each school that chooses to use the program. Schools must show that the MTSS for behavior planning team and faculty have worked together to become “ready” to use the software program before they can gain access. This increases the accuracy and consistency of the data, even before data are actually collected. Often, school teams are given time during MTSS for behavior trainings to learn more about and work on these readiness requirements. There are certified SWIS Facilitators who evaluate school readiness and provide a 2 ½ hour training for three or more school faculty, who will learn to use the program.
The license for access to the SWIS program is signed by the administrator of the school and by a SWIS Facilitator. This means that ownership and access to the school data system is with the school administrator, not at the district level. Districts implementing MTSS for behavior often send their own professionals to the SWIS Facilitator certification training. Some districts also support their schools by paying the annual $250 fee. Larger districts can receive discounts on these annual fees when a higher number of schools will be utilizing the program.
SWIS data can also be summarized for district reporting purposes. Annual SWIS reports are available with an additional statistic: office discipline referrals per 100 students. These data allow districts to make comparisons across schools of different sizes. The district team can then work with all school administrators to create a district evaluation plan for reporting SWIS data.
The state of Kansas has been providing SWIS Facilitator certification training at no cost to districts interested in sending professionals through the SWIS Facilitator training. Please check to see if any upcoming Kansas SWIS Facilitator trainings are advertised on the Training Calendar located at www.swpbs.org/schoolwide/calendar.html. In addition, there are already a number of SWIS Facilitators in Kansas who can be contacted to provide training and support.
Districts that choose to use their own ODR program will need to create goals related to the modification of their software program, as well as to training school staff who will be using the school’s software system. District teams who decide to create an individualized software program are encouraged to show technology specialists the SWIS program and to utilize similar training strategies to improve the reporting process, so that schools are able to view and use accurate summaries of ODR data, and make better data-based decisions.
Click here and go to the upper right hand corner of the SWIS site to take a tour of the program.
Click here for more information about getting ready and to find a SWIS Facilitator
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Does Kan-Dis Provide Data for Local School Decision Making?
The Kan-Dis system does not currently provide visual graphs for data-based decision making. KSDE is in the process of assessing whether modifications can be made to Kan-Dis so that, in the future, the state could provide free access to local data-based decision-making systems to support MTSS for behavior implementation efforts. Any progress will be posted at
www.swpbs,org/schoolwide/.
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