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The Fall Data Sort

A template for your first data meeting after fall screening.

Fall screening gives you a lot of numbers at once. This template walks the team through them in order: look at the whole group first, take a second look at flagged students, then plan for the students who need more, with a check date for every one.

Count before you sort: when a large share of one class lands in the risk bands, that's usually a Tier 1 question before it's a Tier 2 one. Write one Tier 1 action for that class before adding groups.

1What's inside

Two pages, four steps. Each table starts with a filled-in example so the team can see how it works.

Before the meeting. Screener used, date given, how many students were tested, and who brings the data.
Step 1: Count before you sort. Students per band for each class or grade: at or above benchmark, some risk, high risk. A blank for your school's own Tier 1 flag.
Step 2: Take a second look. Screening flags students; it doesn't diagnose them. Check classwork, attendance, behavior, and teacher observation, then mark each student confirmed, watch, or not a concern.
Step 3: Plan for confirmed students. Area of need, intervention, who delivers, how often, how you'll monitor, start date, and a six-week check date.
Step 4: Close the loop. Families notified, six-week checks on the calendar, and a recheck date for students on watch.

2How to use it

Set your Tier 1 flag first. Every school sets its own. Write the percentage once, then apply it to every class the same way.
Work in order. The whole group first, then individual students. Sorting students before looking at classes is how a Tier 1 issue turns into a long list of Tier 2 referrals.
Leave with dates. Every confirmed student should leave the meeting with an intervention, a person, a schedule, and a date to check.
Screening flags students; it doesn't diagnose them. The second look is where the team decides who actually needs more.

3Where it fits

Step 3 gives every student a six-week check date. When that date comes, use The Six-Week Progress Check to decide what happens next. The Tier 1 Assessment takes a closer look when a class is over your flag, MTSS Team Roles settles who brings the data, and What Is MTSS? A Guide for Families is the handout for families of students starting support.

Most useful right after each screening window: fall first, then again in winter and spring.

⬇ Download the template (PDF)
Two pages · 4 steps · No email required · Free to share

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Completed copies contain student information and should be handled according to your school's student-records and document-retention policies. Screener bands and Tier 1 thresholds vary by school and screener — use your screener's own bands and set your own flag.