Beyond the Triangle: Leading District MTSS Improvement at the Speed of Trust

Abstract

This Capstone explores the persistent challenge of implementing coherent, equitable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in public school districts, focusing on a strategic improvement initiative in Somerville Public Schools (SPS). Despite federal mandates and widespread adoption of MTSS as a best practice, many districts struggle to move beyond symbolic compliance. As the Superintendent Fellow and utilizing a trust-centered change management approach inspired by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, my project aimed to improve coherence in MTSS by recoupling school-based intervention blocks (X-Block), aligning data meeting protocols, and codifying district-wide expectations in a revised District Curriculum Accommodation Plan. Through relationship-building, targeted data collection, and compelling communication, the work engaged educators throughout the district, catalyzed early shifts in practice, and laid the groundwork for long-term change. While constraints limited full-scale implementation, the project demonstrates how district leaders can build trust, generate urgency, and activate stakeholders to drive adaptive change while leveraging technical solutions. This work offers practical insights for education leaders seeking to move MTSS from theory to impactful practice.