Episode Details

MTSS can serve as a true system of support, not just a sorting mechanism, for improving reading outcomes and Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Dr. Sarah Brown share how. Drawing from their book MTSS for Reading Improvement (published under Solution Tree), the conversation bridges the Science of Reading with practical systems-level decision making that supports teachers and students alike.

Rather than treating MTSS as a checklist of structures, Drs. Stollar & Brown emphasize fidelity to outcomes, prevention-first thinking, and instructional coherence across Tier 1, intervention, and leadership practices.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why MTSS often fails when it becomes a sorting system instead of a support system
2. How schools unintentionally undermine reading improvement by focusing on individual students too early
3. How the Simple View of Reading and the five essential reading skills can guide both prevention and intervention
4. What kinds of data actually support instructional decision-making, and which ones don’t
5. The role of leadership in creating a culture of vulnerability, collaboration, and shared responsibility
6. Why asking better questions leads to better instructional solutions

Resources:

1. Book: MTSS for Reading Improvement by Stephanie Stollar & Sarah Brown from Solution Tree (or on Amazon)
2. FREE Resource: The Reading MTSS Reflection Guide
3. Book: Reading Assessment Done Right by Stephanie Stollar & Kate Winn

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Stephanie Stollar:

1. Website: www.readingscienceacademy.com/
2. Instagram: @ReadingScienceAcademy
3. Facebook: Stephanie Stollar Consulting
4. LinkedIn: Stephanie Stollar