Time spent inefficiently is a waste of money. Time spent executing your MTSS framework is no exception. Educators often jump from system to system, spreadsheet to spreadsheet, and form to form to complete the entire MTSS process. As educators navigate between and within these items, they waste precious time that could otherwise be directed toward supporting students. The chaos of “system jumping” impacts implementation fidelity and ultimately student outcomes. But it also has a financial consequence.
The benefits of MTSS educational technology are clear. One platform can unify your MTSS processes, preventing system jumping and saving the time of educators. It can also help educators and central office administrators better understand what interventions are working with which students.
In today’s rapidly changing K-12 landscape, careful decisions about technology investments are increasingly important. While the primary mission of school districts will always be centered around student success, the effective use of resources is critical to carrying out this mission. As district leaders champion a new digital solution, justifying the use of limited funds requires a clear understanding of the savings that these investments can bring. One of the primary ways that educational technology investments contribute to financial ROI is through efficiency gains. Public school districts typically spend 80-90% of their state and local funds on staffing needs, and for hardworking educators and administrative personnel, there never seems to be enough time.
3 Reasons Why MTSS Educational Technology Is a Worthy Investment
1. Efficiency
MTSS educational technology is a time saver. Think about these questions. For each interventionist or teacher:
- How much time do they spend locating and then reviewing multiple data sources, including screener, formative, and summative assessments across different data domains? (ex: academics, attendance, behavior, SEL)
- How much time do they spend understanding if a student is at risk of falling behind and determining what support is needed?
- How much time is spent progress monitoring, including inputting data, taking notes, and collecting information throughout interventions?
- How much time is spent collecting and sharing data to support collaborative problem-solving meetings?
- How much time is spent reporting outcomes to school leaders and district leaders?
- How much time is spent understanding if interventions are working and for whom?
Each one of these steps is vital to the MTSS process. Each one takes time. But if they occur in a unified platform, it simplifies the entire process while benefiting students. For example, imagine that MTSS educational technology results in a mere 30% reduction in time savings for teachers. Depending on the size of your district, this alone could result in cost savings greater than six figures per year.
2. Cost Savings
Districts may also find that they pay separate licensing fees for software tools that only perform one MTSS function within your multi-faceted MTSS framework. By consolidating isolated tools into a unified platform, districts can save further. And it goes without saying that MTSS educational technology can help you understand what works. If your district is investing in an after-school tutoring program and results are non-existent with a given provider, perhaps it’s time to exit the program. This too leads to a more efficient and effective use of resources.
3. Data Security
Lastly, investing in modernized systems that provide improved data security is a critical aspect of maximizing financial ROI. Data breaches and compliance violations can result in significant financial losses, including legal fees, reputational damage, and potential loss of funding. Much of MTSS data lives precariously in unprotected spreadsheets containing highly sensitive student information. There is almost nothing stopping an email from being forwarded containing this information. By proactively addressing security vulnerabilities, districts can mitigate these risks and protect their financial and reputational interests, not to mention the rights of students.
Consolidating Your MTSS Tools
As you reflect on whether MTSS educational technology is right for your district, it’s important to quantify not only the potential for greater student outcomes, but also the opportunity for savings. Your partners at PowerSchool are here to help.
K-12 MTSS ROI Calculator
Use our MTSS ROI calculator to learn the annual cost of your district’s MTSS procedures and the time and cost savings that could follow by leveraging MTSS technology.
Do the Math
