Keep, Toss, or Tweak? by Kaimais Love

The new Tier 2 Referral Form

2026-04-29 14:01:15 UTC

This form has been very helpful and more user friendly for teachers to complete.

Referral Process: teachers send an email after a referral has been submitted so the team is aware.

2026-04-29 14:01:37 UTC

Keep

2026-04-29 14:01:37 UTC

Keep the blue and yellow forms that we were given last year. It assist the teachers in listing all they have done in one place and makes the referral process simpler.

2026-04-29 14:01:42 UTC

Tweak the referral process to send a notification when a new referral is made.

Keep

2026-04-29 14:01:51 UTC

Insist that the SST lead be an academic or instructional staff member.

Office Hours

2026-04-29 14:01:57 UTC

Thank you for offering regular office hours

Tweak:

2026-04-29 14:02:04 UTC

IC documentation; Collaboration with GAL office -- utilize 'forms' tab on IC to include not only ILPs for GAL students but SST plans for students with SST plans. MUCH more user friendly and simple than what we are currently doing for SST through the IC platform

keep

2026-04-29 14:02:17 UTC

we have a solid mtss team that meets monthly. we have a pre-sst referral form where we streamline teacher support request for any student iep, sst , 504 and assign case managers to see any path through while meeting monthly to review progress case by case.

Keep

2026-04-29 14:02:24 UTC

Keep the academic/ behavior co- chair model

Intervention documentation

2026-04-29 14:02:36 UTC

Make the forms include a layout/chart for intervention documentation that reflect the way we have to document/record in IC

Entering into IC

2026-04-29 14:02:44 UTC

When a plan is revised and new docs are uploaded, it seems unnecessary to go back and update the plan status.

keep

2026-04-29 14:02:49 UTC

one of the team members takes notes which keeps the chair able to facilitate without distraction.

Office hours

2026-04-29 14:02:58 UTC

Consultative model

2026-04-29 14:02:59 UTC

Utilization of an in person consult model to begin a referral and begin getting to the root cause so a more immediate response can be planned.

Notifications

2026-04-29 14:03:01 UTC

My teachers normally email me but unfortunately sometimes they don’t. The data export wasn’t working for a while to alert me of new referral plans. So, having a notification from IC would be extremely beneficial.

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:03:13 UTC

Teacher referral process and training needs to occur so that they have more buy in.

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:03:24 UTC

Referral process for what works best for your school: Google form, IC referral, referral form, etc

Printing Plans and Invitations

2026-04-29 14:03:29 UTC

It is annoying with the IC update to have to go back to the hamburger and then student info and then print plan or invite after creating a plan or invite. It would be nice if a print option was available in the same window that you enter the plan and invitation.

Kathy Benton - Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy

Forms

2026-04-29 14:03:44 UTC

I need to get a better handle on utilizing all of the forms. Right now I use a meeting summary form to capture it all.

An automated way of knowing when the teachers send the referrals

2026-04-29 14:03:47 UTC

Keep the three model approach attendance, behavior and academics

2026-04-29 14:03:51 UTC

Keep

2026-04-29 14:03:55 UTC

We use a Case management spreadsheet that documents each student’s progress through the SSTprocess

Presenting to Leaders

2026-04-29 14:04:07 UTC

When presenting to leaders less emphasis on academic 'programs' that fit into Tier I/II/III and more emphasis on how improvements can be made to Tier I (specifically in MS and HS grades); i.e. differentiation, data analysis, small grouping...who and how can coach or support these improvements to Tier I

Teacher Flow Chart

2026-04-29 14:04:09 UTC

Several referrals are submitted that are actually a Tier 1 concern, a decision tree or flow chart for teachers to use prior to submission could help eliminate those referrals.

Updating a plan

afvalenti — 2026-04-29 14:04:11 UTC

How can we better streamline updating plans in IC? Having to close out previous plan for an updated plan when it's for one student seems a little silly.

2026-04-29 14:04:23 UTC

Keep SST Chair Chats

2026-04-29 14:04:24 UTC

Too many forms - the form on IC, the blue form, the documentation form.

The same information on multiple forms in multiple places.

tweak

2026-04-29 14:04:24 UTC

enhancing case manager support for teachers struggling with tier 2 interventions

Office Hours

2026-04-29 14:04:32 UTC

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:04:35 UTC

MTSS team. Adding at least one academic person outside of the teachers to consider additional interventions

Referral in IC

2026-04-29 14:04:37 UTC

Having teachers do the referral in IC and the limit in characters doesn’t really help me understand the root of the problem.

MTSS Standing Team

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:04:38 UTC

Solidifying a standing team that takes pride in the work we do set a strong foundation for the services we provided.

Teacher buy-in

afvalenti — 2026-04-29 14:04:52 UTC

Including teachers on updates to SST referral/implementation could help with buy-in.

SST FORM

2026-04-29 14:05:04 UTC

The form is not always user friendly. It would be nice to be able to upload specific documents and annotate the plan when it’s happening. Adding a document is helpful, but sometimes it would be nice if it aligns with the updates. If this makes sense.

Toss

2026-04-29 14:05:04 UTC

Have teachers to upload their data/documentation into Infinite Campus rather than have the Chairs doing so.

Spreadsheet Tracking

2026-04-29 14:05:08 UTC

Keeping track of all referrals, meetings, and progress within a separate sheet has worked to keep up with meetings and documentation updates.

2026-04-29 14:05:21 UTC

Tweak: New Chair Training to provide exemplars and real training to assist with understanding

tweak

2026-04-29 14:05:22 UTC

insisting that the teachers take ownership of completing the student referral and complete all the forms COMPLETELY even though they are busy too.

Too Many Forms

2026-04-29 14:05:30 UTC

Very confusing and redundant--doesn't help with streamlining a plan for intervention. The uploading is a barrier and it doesn't get done.

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:05:42 UTC

List of possible interventions that are more commonly implemented for use when there are no academic coaches or the psychologist is not available

2026-04-29 14:05:50 UTC

Streamline data entry

Toss

2026-04-29 14:06:00 UTC

stop doing work outside of school hours and ask team members to help take on part of the admin tasks associated with being in mtss

Set Requirements

2026-04-29 14:06:09 UTC

Set requirements for SST that include schools to assign staff to the roles on the standing team. Maybe this could help prevent SST from getting pushed aside.

Tweek

2026-04-29 14:06:10 UTC

Have a centralized location for all documentation with easier tracking mechanisms.

Word Document Access

afvalenti — 2026-04-29 14:06:37 UTC

Can we update these so they are more user friendly? Google Docs maybe? Every time I try to copy and paste or edit a block in the document the formatting messes up. I've fallen behind on plans sometimes due to the issues I have with the document and I'm pretty tech savvy so it's a little frustrating

IC Referral

2026-04-29 14:06:46 UTC

The information on the referral in IC is repeated on the document that they upload with it. That extra step is annoying for teachers and (as ridiculous as it is) a reason teachers don't want to refer students. They think it's a lot of work. Maybe if they just selected the area of referral (attendance, behavior, or academics) and check off they have already contacted the parent and uploaded the document.

Kathy Benton - Furman L Templeton

Referral information on IC

2026-04-29 14:07:00 UTC

It would be helpful to be able to print out the information that the teachers enter into Infinite Campus as a form. None of the information for the boxes they check prints out. I use the referral info in IC to provide information to the MTSS during our scheduled meetings.

Megan McNeill, LCSW-C

Mary Ann Winterling Elementary

toss

2026-04-29 14:07:18 UTC

wishing the meeting summary form was native to IC so we do not have to do another additional step. also the blue form, while better than yellow, still needs to be simplified.

2026-04-29 14:07:39 UTC

Barriers: Schoolwide buy in to completing the referral process with just filling out the form completely.

Toss

2026-04-29 14:07:46 UTC

When a student is referred to IEP or qualifies for IEP, there should be a better way to close the plan rather than having to complete a revised one just to close it out.

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:08:02 UTC

Clarity on chairs’ roles and timeline for viewing referral, determining follow up (tier 2 or 3 plan), and ?reloading updated referral with their MTSS section filled out?

Referral Process

2026-04-29 14:08:08 UTC

Quicker and more streamlined data collection for teacher referrals

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:08:22 UTC

There’s too many forms. Can we make SST more like MSDE’s SRIP so that there is only one long form?

2026-04-29 14:08:33 UTC

Less is more. The more forms and tweaks makes it harder for all stakeholders to understand and master.

2026-04-29 14:08:33 UTC

Barrier: Lack of user friendly documents

Interpretation Services

2026-04-29 14:08:37 UTC

Create an easier process to schedule in person interpretation services for SST meetings.

Tweek

2026-04-29 14:08:41 UTC

Streamline the form in Infinite Campus.

Pre-sst

2026-04-29 14:08:48 UTC

Having a pre-sst meeting to go over what is required prior to the sst meeting allowing the process to move forward and not get kicked back for lack of documentation.

New Referral Form

2026-04-29 14:08:59 UTC

I like the new referral form. It's useful for giving the MTSS team the information that it needs to determine next steps.

Process

2026-04-29 14:09:05 UTC

Streamline the entire process

Attendance:

2026-04-29 14:09:06 UTC

More guidance on when to document attendance cases as SST cases-strong attendance team at school but we are not documenting any of this in SST/IC.

SST Dashboard

2026-04-29 14:09:20 UTC

This is GLORIOUS and so helpful to direct our conversations during our Standing Team Meetings! It makes the unfriendly reporting of IC more friendly.

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:09:40 UTC

Minimize the number of forms available for SST process. Even if some areas don't need to be filled out. It would streamline meetings and note taking.

2026-04-29 14:10:01 UTC

Keep the updates about incomplete referrals

tweak

2026-04-29 14:10:07 UTC

any chance for stipends for doing this extra job title and duties along with what we already do?

HS Model

2026-04-29 14:10:33 UTC

Create an exemplar execution model for H.S.

Keep

2026-04-29 14:10:55 UTC

Keep what you shared about co-chairs being recommended to principals. Love the idea of an academic co-chair.

Meeting Summary Form

2026-04-29 14:10:56 UTC

Is sometimes bothersome to work with.. You cannot copy/paste from specific parts of a dialogue box - all or nothing... some areas are redundant.. font toolbar and others are grayed out.

IC Revision

2026-04-29 14:11:08 UTC

Provide explicit directions for each required tab on the referral (digitaly in the referral, like a floating box). Include Help tabs that include definitions and possible examples of required information. Possibly removing the stop wall that prevents further input until required information is submitted, as this barrier prevents user continuation of inputing other relative information. -Stephanie Woodson

Teachers REFUSING to Provide 6 weeks of data...

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:11:15 UTC

Now, most don't right out refuse, but the low quality of documents submitted are just not suffice... missing dates on student work. We need pre-created forms to support them with the process. 3 forms (attendance, behavior, academics)... that way data collection is not confusing...

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:12:06 UTC

Create a simple step by step process for both teachers and SST Chairs with links to documents required under each step.

Clarify

2026-04-29 14:12:07 UTC

How tier 2/3 should look for MS. We do not have a MS interventionist. Teachers are limited on time during PL/Advisory and unclear as to what these interventions should be. Mostly referring to academic.

UPDATE BLUE FORM

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:12:22 UTC

I like the blue form but after using it this year, I feel like it needs to be tweeked some.

Shavonne Berkley

sberkley@bcps.k12.md.us

Tweak

2026-04-29 14:12:24 UTC

Include a BOY mandatory SST Training for teachers to get a better buy in. In addition, a MOY refresher would also be helpful with ensuring that the interventions are clear and that teachers understand why and how this impacts students. It will also support efforts for students being considered for retention.

Debbie Taylor

No Standing Team

2026-04-29 14:13:52 UTC

It would be helpful if administrators understood the importance of the SST team and would dedicate specific individuals to serve on a standing team. My school has no team, no case manager/monitor and only meets if needed with only me as the social worker, the AP, teacher and occasionally, the parent.

Toss

2026-04-29 14:14:21 UTC

Allowing SWST members (counselor and social workers) to chair SSTs (or at least being the sole chair). With the behavioral challenges increasing across city schools, there is little to no time for SST. Sadly, when crisis arise, SST responsibilities may not be the priority (specifically for non-behavioral plans).

6 Week Data Collection Forms

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:14:59 UTC

Teachers do not know how to collect student data. We should have a bank of MTSS data collection forms to choose from so we help them be prepared for meeting with appropriate data.... They would do better if they knew better. Teachers need training on data collection. Period.

Shavonne Berkley

sberkley@bcps.k12.md.us

MTSS Training for Teachers & Staff

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:17:41 UTC

Teachers need to be trained; both in person and mandatory asynchronous training on CANVAS. Sessions should be offered on systemic PD days. Training should cover the process and the forms.

Shavonne Berkley sberkley@bcps.k12.md.us

FUTURE MTSS/SST TRAINING

sberkley4 — 2026-04-29 14:21:11 UTC

Train the MTSS chair with the intervention programs available to the grade bands at their school. That will help MTSS teams make more informed decisions when selecting tier II and tier III academic interventions.

Shavonne Berkley

sberkley@bcps.k12.md.us