Reading help through MTSS

[Anonymous]

My child receives a notice that he receives 30 min/4 days a week small group lessons focusing on phonics which is the most intensive tier of support. They use the support system called the Multi Tiered system of supports (MTSS). I know his reading level is low. Do many kids qualified for this intensive service or is he really that terrible? Is that helpful to learn to read? He is a 1st grader.

[Anonymous]

No idea how many kids typically receive that level, but yes, it is typically helpful. If your kid needs that kind of support then it's great that he's getting that much of it. And there is often a wide variation in reading in first grade so being behind now doesn't necessarily mean he will have problems later, especially if he gets the support he needs now to catch up.

[Anonymous]

Do MCPS diagnosis dyslexia? Do they have OG certified teachers if they come across kids with dyslexia at school struggling with learning ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do MCPS diagnosis dyslexia? Do they have OG certified teachers if they come across kids with dyslexia at school struggling with learning ?

Yes they do but the level of support can vary by school. They don’t exactly diagnose but they remediate. If it’s not happening, speak with your IEP case manager asap.

[Anonymous]

TBH, this is a signal that you should request an IEP. Schools do MTSS when a kid is falling behind with regular instruction, but the MTSS is provided without any fuller assessment.

When you request an IEP, the school is legally obligated to conduct a psychoeducational assessment in all areas of potential disability, which can suss out the underlying reasons for failure to respond to general education instruction.

Write a letter, saying that you suspect DC has a 1) reading or other disability that 2) is adversely impacting his education and 3) necessitates special instruction, and that you are asking for an IEP meeting and a full psychoeducational assessment as required under the IEP process.

The fact that your kid is in MTSS demonstrates that there is at least a "suspicion of disability" that requires the school to do assessment with normed, standardized pyschoeducational testing that measures ability and achievement. Often schools gaslight parents saying that the kid is getting MTSS so "they're already giving special instruction," but this is not equivalent at all to providing special instruction on an IEP.

Also, schools often try to use MTSS as a reason to delay assessment under the IDEA/IEP process -- "we can't assess him until we know whether or not MTSS is working". This is illegal. There is specific guidance from Department of Ed that MTSS cannot be used to delay or deny assessment as required under IDEA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TBH, this is a signal that you should request an IEP. Schools do MTSS when a kid is falling behind with regular instruction, but the MTSS is provided without any fuller assessment.

When you request an IEP, the school is legally obligated to conduct a psychoeducational assessment in all areas of potential disability, which can suss out the underlying reasons for failure to respond to general education instruction.

Write a letter, saying that you suspect DC has a 1) reading or other disability that 2) is adversely impacting his education and 3) necessitates special instruction, and that you are asking for an IEP meeting and a full psychoeducational assessment as required under the IEP process.

The fact that your kid is in MTSS demonstrates that there is at least a "suspicion of disability" that requires the school to do assessment with normed, standardized pyschoeducational testing that measures ability and achievement. Often schools gaslight parents saying that the kid is getting MTSS so "they're already giving special instruction," but this is not equivalent at all to providing special instruction on an IEP.

Also, schools often try to use MTSS as a reason to delay assessment under the IDEA/IEP process -- "we can't assess him until we know whether or not MTSS is working". This is illegal. There is specific guidance from Department of Ed that MTSS cannot be used to delay or deny assessment as required under IDEA.

This is just not accurate. There could be a learning disability, but being below grade level on testing does not guarantee that there is a suspicion of disability and certainly does not automatically qualify the child for testing! Kids who blow off map-r have to receive the mtss letter and receive intervention- hopefully this will lead to fewer kids doing that, but in my school it’s the reality.

If there are other concerns that lead OP to believe there is a disability, sure, go down that path. But don’t jump to conclusions! Kids develop skills at different rates!