How Summer MTSS Planning Sets the Stage for Schoolwide Success
While students are enjoying a well-earned summer break, school MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) leadership teams across the country are hard at work. Summer is not just a time for rest—it’s a critical window for reflection, planning, and building systems that support every student. By digging into data from the previous year, teams can identify what worked, where gaps remain, and how to adapt for the year ahead.
Here’s how summer planning turns data into direction for a stronger school year:
Looking Back to Move Forward
The most effective MTSS planning begins with data. Teams review academic, behavior, and attendance data from the previous year to pinpoint patterns and student needs. Are there grade levels or subgroups that struggled more than others? Were interventions implemented with fidelity? Did they result in measurable progress?
This backward glance isn’t about blame—it’s about building a foundation for smarter, more targeted supports in the new school year.
Refining Core Practices
Summer is a key time to evaluate core instruction and schoolwide practices. Using data trends, teams can identify opportunities to strengthen Tier 1 supports. For example, if screening data showed large numbers of students below grade level in reading, it may be time to revisit reading block structures, adopt new core resources, or offer additional training in instructional strategies.
This is also a chance to revisit schoolwide expectations for behavior and attendance—are they clear, consistent, and well-communicated? If not, summer offers the breathing room to create or revise them.
Setting Clear Systems
With data in hand, leadership teams can map out structures for the year ahead. This includes:
Revising MTSS timelines to align with progress monitoring and data review windows.
Creating or updating standard treatment protocols to match interventions to identified student needs.
Clarifying team roles and responsibilities to ensure smooth, consistent implementation.
Preparing staff professional development that targets areas of need identified in the data.
When these systems are built or refined during the summer, the school starts the year ready—not reactive.
Empowering Educators
Summer MTSS planning also centers around preparing teachers for success. By developing clear processes, providing user-friendly tools, and offering data-informed professional development, leadership teams can ensure every educator is equipped to support all learners from day one.
Resources like behavior walkthrough tools, planning guides, and ready-made slide decks help schools communicate expectations and build capacity—without overwhelming staff in the first weeks of school.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
The summer work may not always be visible to the outside world, but its impact is felt in every classroom. When MTSS teams use the summer months to reflect on last year’s data and plan strategically, they build the conditions for student growth, teacher confidence, and schoolwide improvement.
At EduPuzzle Partners, we’re honored to support schools doing this powerful behind-the-scenes work. From leadership tools to intervention resources, we’re here to help you make the most of your planning time—because success in the fall starts with the systems you build in the summer.
Need support refining your MTSS plan this summer?
We’re here to help. Explore our Leadership Team Bundle, intervention tools, and professional learning resources to get started.
