Problems of Practice: Flipping the Inverted Pyramid

Previously Recorded May 2023

We want our multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to resemble pyramids–with an appropriately small number of students targeted for intensive tier 2 and 3 interventions at the top. But many schools experience the “inverted pyramid” or “upside down triangle” problem, where an unmanageably large number of students are targeted for tier 2 and 3 intervention and support, causing strain on capacity and resources. In this webinar, we unpacked four solutions that tackle this common problem.

This Problems of Practice webinar took a deep-dive into the “inverted pyramid problem” and shared expert-led insights on how to lead interventions more sustainably. Watch the recording to:

• Diagnose the “inverted pyramid” problem and implications on our capacity, examining the research and reasons behind why, how, and when this problem tends to occur.
• Analyze four solutions to the problem, including their pros and cons, case studies, and implications for practice and implementation at the school and district level.
• Share relevant toolkits and other resources, such as those on tier 2 and 3 interventions, progress monitoring, and strategies from the Playbook interventions library.