MPS Tiered Assessment System

The Malden Public Schools aims to support each student's academic and social-emotional needs through a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework. MTSS expands upon the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework, by including the each student's social-emotional needs in order to provide a more well-rounded view of each student. Within this MTSS framework, every student is provided with a high-quality, rigorous, grade-level academic experience. In addition to this core 'Tier I' instruction, evidence-based practices and supports are provided when necessary according to student needs. Students flexibly transition for the various 'Tiers' of academic support based on their most recent formal and informal assessment data including universal screeners, diagnostic assessments, and progress monitoring.

In MPS, we are always staying up on the latest research to determine which measures of assessment are most effective in determining 1.) students' reading proficiency and 2.) students' targeted areas of need. We believe in a proactive model of determining need and/or possible learning disability, and therefore we provide early screening for dyslexia for all K-3 students using the DIBELS 8th, which was one of only three assessments rated as 'meets expectations' by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Below you will find a 1.) a flowchart from the AIM Institute on how we determine student's literacy needs to their 'point of breakdown' (i.e. the area/skill in which the student is struggling, and therefore is is area that is preventing further growth in other areas of literacy). Underneath that is a chart of the various assessment measures, the tools we use to assess these various literacy skills, and how they are classified (i.e. screener, intervention assessment, diagnostic, etc.). This is an always-evolving list, and we are committed to gathering numerous points on each student in order to determine each students' 'point of breakdown'. At all stages of this tiered assessment system, we aim to include caregivers in the decision-making process and provide clear and translated information about both next steps and how to supports students at home in their literacy development.

AIM Institute Flowchart for Reading 'Response to Intervention'

MPS Tiered Literacy Assessment Chart