As school districts across the country seek to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) platform to address student needs, many administrators are determining how to fund their MTSS implementation.
We know that district funds are most commonly used to pay for a platform, but tight budget cycles often force admins to look for other sources, such as local, state, and federal grants. Rarely are these grants written specifically to fund MTSS or data platforms, so districts must be strategic in aligning the outcomes for the platform to the outcomes of a grant, and may need to braid together sources to meet the need.
Despite recent uncertainty around federal funding, Title funds continue to offer a reliable and sustainable option for long-term MTSS support. While state budgets remain tight, many states still provide formula and competitive grants that can fund components of an MTSS platform and are often renewed annually.
Multiple federal funding sources are available for school districts to use for MTSS. For example, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides federal funding to state education agencies and local school districts.
Federal funding for MTSS comes from multiple sources, many of which are designed to support specific student populations or district needs:
Related resource: Federal Funding for Education: What’s Really Happening?
Title II, Part A funds can be used to provide training and coaching on MTSS-related topics:
Title IV, Part A provides funds to support MTSS initiatives focused on school climate, behavior, and social-emotional learning (SEL):
Related resource: Guide to Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Universal Screening
Title V, Part B provides additional funding for rural school districts to use in flexible ways, including MTSS-related services and activities, such as screening, progress monitoring, professional learning, interventions, and MTSS management.
Blending involves moving funds from one title fund into another – typically mixing with Title I.
Braiding is a weaving of funds together to cover expenses across many disparate groups.
Title I, Part A is one of the largest sources of federal education funding and is intended to improve the academic achievement of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including through Section 1003(a) School Improvement Grants. These funds can be used to support multiple components of MTSS implementation, including instructional supports, interventions, and systems that help schools respond effectively to identified student needs.
Examples of how a school district can use Title 1, Part A funds toward MTSS include:
Title I, Part C funds are used for the education of migratory children. They can be used to provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports for students in this population to participate in Tier 2 or Tier 3 activities — such as a summer school program.
Title III, Part A funds can be used to support English language learners in an MTSS framework:
A portion of IDEA, Part B funds can be set aside for Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) for students in the general education population that require additional academic and behavioral support to be successful. This can include professional development, academic and behavioral intervention resources, and intervention staffing.
Districts rarely fund MTSS through a single budget line. The most sustainable approach is to align MTSS goals with allowable uses across federal, state, and local funding streams, especially flexible Title funds. With a clear understanding of funding guidelines and a thoughtful blending or braiding strategy, districts can support MTSS practices that last and evolve with student needs.