I chose to highlight the integrating of data collection and assessment systems. The reason I chose to highlight this because being able to support students continually, we need to track data. Progress monitoring supports teachers and staff in assisting student learning from year to year as well as day to day. Having a universal system of screening also takes away the inclination of human error or judgement in assessing students. From county to county, teachers will have the same system to screen students. They are able to focus on solutions rather than learning the system within each and every district. 

“MTSS focuses on all students in education contexts.”

I selected this particular sentence because it helped me understand one significant difference between MTSS and Rtl2. However, even though one cannot exist without the other, I think it’s quite amazing what takes place behind the scenes of MTSS. It provides a strong foundation for California educators to show how we can work together to ensure unbiased access and opportunity for all students to achieve the Common Core State Standards. MTSS creates new, much needed opportunities for systematic change. This is accomplished through purposeful design and even a redesign of services and supports that aim to identify and match the needs of all students.

 -Megan Sagaser

“Endorsing Universal Design for Learning instructional strategies so all students have opportunities for learning through differentiated content, processes, and product.” 

I thought that this sentence was meaningful because of the main idea of Universal Design for Learning. This sentence goes along with things that MTSS includes. Universal Design for Learning is important in the classroom because there are going to be a variety of students that walk through the classroom doors each and every year. This variety of students are going to bring all sorts of different aspects of the classroom and the school. Our schools are very diverse and because of that Universal Design is important. UDL will make sure that every student feels included and every student is receiving an equal opportunity to succeed. This means that as a teacher, you will need to be flexible when teaching. All students are going to learn differently and think differently, so Universal Design for Learning is a great way to ensure that all students will be successful.