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

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Connect with Dr. Stephanie Stollar:

1. Website: www.readingscienceacademy.com/
2. Instagram: @ReadingScienceAcademy
3. Facebook: Stephanie Stollar Consulting
4. LinkedIn: Stephanie Stollar
5. Join Dr. Stollar’s Reading Science Academy Membership
6. The MTSS Collective

Connect with Dr. Sarah Brown:

1. Website: https://systemimpactconsulting.com/
2. Contact Dr. Sarah Brown on her Website
3. LinkedIn: Sarah Brown Ph.D.
4. Join Dr. Brown’s MTSS Data Academy
5. Dr. Brown also offers Virtual Coaching Sessions!

Thank you to Express Readers for supporting the production of this episode.

Express Readers creates thoughtfully designed decodable texts that align with the Science of Reading and support developing readers at every stage. You can visit their website to learn more and grab a free sample to try with your students!

1. https://expressreaders.org/
2. Instagram: @expressreaders
3. LinkedIn: Express Readers
4. Facebook: Express Readers Inc.

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6. Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

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Mentioned in this episode:

Express Readers

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