Beyond One Size Fits All: Evidence From a Randomized Trial of Multitiered System of Supports

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: Multi-Method Approaches and Models for Examining the Impact of Interventions on Academic Outcomes

Abstract

This paper presents final results for a two-year randomized trial of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) in the Wake County. MTSS is designed to improve academic and behavioral outcomes through tiered support delivery. MTSS was randomly assigned within 44 school-pairs in fall 2015 and the treatment and control groups were balanced along student-level characteristics, prior achievement, and prior behavioral incidents. After two years of implementation, MTSS did not significantly impact overall academic achievement or across subgroups. MTSS caused a small uptick in suspension rates, and did not significantly impact suspensions, graduation, dropout, or special education referrals. The results raise questions about the ability of large, districtwide interventions to move the needle on academics or behavior within short implementation windows.

Authors

• Dina Bulgakov Cooke, Wake County Public Schools

• Matthew A Lenard, Wake County Public School System