As Liberty Central School District approaches the midway point of its five-year strategic plan, officials are taking time to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done.  Earlier this year, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs. Last month, the Curriculum pillar was the focus, with Multi-Tier System of Supports, or MTSS, up now.

To review the strategic intents of the MTSS pillar:

• By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk academically, students needing language acquisition, and students needing enrichment, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
• By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk socially, emotionally and behaviorally, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
• The District will implement post benchmark data analysis meetings that require at least three data points (Academic/SEL Screener and two additional data points) to identify or refer students to Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions through vertically articulated Student Support/MTSS meetings that are regularly scheduled and attended.

What does this mean?

Many factors impact how a student learns. These factors include academic skills, cultural barriers, socio-economic struggles, as well as social, emotional or behavioral challenges. An effective MTSS model will allow schools to provide ALL students the tools they need to succeed, as well as assess if those tools are working.

What is LCSD doing?

The Leader in Me (LIM) framework has been implemented in all schools to provide all students the leadership and life skills they need. But to determine what supports students may require, screenings are needed. The DESSA SEL (social-emotional learning) screener has been implemented at all schools to help identify students who may need interventions. At the Elementary and Middle schools, Renaissance STAR and HMH assessments are provided three times a year to assess students progress in reading and math. The schools also use interventions from HMH, and other SEL interventions, aligned with LIM. At Liberty High School, Academic Intervention Service (AIS) classes help prepare students for Regents. There are also language acquisition supports, such as the Newcomer Global Learner program, for multilingual learners at LHS..

These have helped the schools set up small-group support as well as more intense behavior interventions for SEL support.

Implementation of MTSS model is underway at the elementary and middle schools by providing a referral form, creating meeting structures and post-benchmark analysis meetings as well as using common intervention programs for Grades K-8, such as student-centered Wildly Important Goals, enrichment for grades K-8, and cross-cultural based events.

The goal is to set aside more time for analysis, continue the meet between buildings to align approach, implementation and results, while enhancing academic intervention systems for the High School.

“Our MTSS model is getting stronger and we are committed to ensuring all of our students are given the support they need,” Superintendent Dr. Sullivan said. “It is critical to our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.”

For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.

This is the third in a series of stories that focus on different aspects of LCSD’s  strategic plan and what it means for the Redhawk students, staff, families and community.