Lesson Plan
Can Data Teams Transform School Climate?
Leverage school climate data to identify root causes, map PBIS objectives, and align MTSS practices, equipping K–12 staff to implement data-driven strategies that foster a positive school environment.
A data-driven approach strengthens PBIS and MTSS frameworks, empowering educators to make informed decisions, target interventions, and collaboratively improve student behavior and overall school climate.
Audience
K–12 Staff
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Collaborative data review, discussion, and goal-setting activities.
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Data-Driven Climate Kickoff Slide Deck.
- Print or duplicate copies of the Root Cause Roundtable Discussion Guide, PBIS Goal Mapping Activity Sheet, and MTSS Implementation Self-Check Worksheet.
- Arrange room seating to facilitate small-group discussion and ensure projector is set up.
Step 1
Data-Driven Climate Kickoff
10 minutes
- Introduce session objectives and agenda.
- Display key school climate metrics using the Data-Driven Climate Kickoff Slide Deck.
- Prompt participants to note initial impressions and questions.
Step 2
Root Cause Roundtable
20 minutes
- Distribute the Root Cause Roundtable Discussion Guide.
- Organize participants into diverse, cross-role groups.
- Use guiding questions to uncover underlying causes of current climate challenges.
- Rotate roles (facilitator, recorder, presenter) every 5 minutes to ensure engagement.
Step 3
PBIS Goal Mapping Activity
15 minutes
- Hand out the PBIS Goal Mapping Activity Sheet.
- In pairs, map identified root causes to specific, measurable PBIS goals.
- Chart goals on the activity sheet and define metrics for tracking progress.
Step 4
MTSS Implementation Self-Check
10 minutes
- Provide the MTSS Implementation Self-Check Worksheet.
- Participants individually assess current MTSS tiered supports against best practices.
- Identify 1–2 actionable steps to better align MTSS processes with PBIS goals.
Step 5
Debrief and Next Steps
5 minutes
- Reconvene whole group to share key insights and proposed actions.
- Summarize major takeaways and celebrate collaborative solutions.
- Outline next meeting dates for the data team to revisit progress and refine strategies.
Slide Deck
Data-Driven Climate Kickoff
Can Data Teams Transform School Climate?
PBIS • MTSS • Data Team Practices
60-Minute Tier 1 PD for K–12 Staff
Welcome everyone to our professional development session. Introduce yourself and share the goal: using data to drive improvements in PBIS and MTSS and strengthen our school climate.
Session Objectives
• Leverage school climate data to identify root causes
• Map root causes to measurable PBIS goals
• Align MTSS tiered supports with PBIS targets
• Develop next steps for data-driven interventions
Review each objective aloud. Emphasize the actionable focus: moving from data to root-cause analysis, goal mapping, and actionable steps.
Agenda
10 min – Data-Driven Climate Kickoff
20 min – Root Cause Roundtable
15 min – PBIS Goal Mapping
10 min – MTSS Implementation Self-Check
5 min – Debrief & Next Steps
Walk participants through the agenda and set timing expectations. Highlight the interactive and collaborative nature of each segment.
Key School Climate Metrics
• Attendance Rate: 95%
• Behavior Incidents: 120/month
• Climate Survey: 60% positive responses
Present the most recent school climate metrics. Use a projector to display charts or dashboards if possible, and ask participants to note any immediate reactions.
Trends Over Time
• 10% increase in behavior incidents last quarter
• 5% drop in positive survey scores year-over-year
• Steady attendance but pockets of chronic absenteeism
Highlight changes over time. Point out upward or downward trends and invite participants to consider potential drivers.
Reflection Questions
• What data points stand out to you?
• Which trends surprise you?
• Where might we need deeper context?
Ask participants to reflect individually for 2 minutes. Encourage them to jot notes on the discussion guide.
Next: Root Cause Roundtable
Please pick up your Root Cause Roundtable Discussion Guide and form groups of 4.
Rotate roles (facilitator, recorder, presenter) every 5 minutes.
Transition participants to the first activity. Remind them to form diverse groups, distribute the discussion guide, and rotate roles every 5 minutes.
Discussion
Root Cause Roundtable Discussion Guide
Purpose
Participants will work in small groups to dig beneath surface data, identify underlying factors driving school climate challenges, and surface actionable root causes.
Roles & Rotation
- Facilitator: Keeps the group on task, reads prompts aloud, and manages timing.
- Recorder: Captures key ideas, themes, and potential root causes on flip chart or worksheet.
- Presenter: Shares group findings with the whole group during debrief.
Rotate roles every 5 minutes so each participant has a chance in each role.
Timing
Total Time: 20 minutes
- Round 1 (5 min): Prompt 1 & 2
- Round 2 (5 min): Prompt 3 & 4
- Round 3 (5 min): Synthesize themes
- Round 4 (5 min): Prepare presentation
Discussion Prompts
-
Which metric or trend surprised you most?
• What makes this metric noteworthy? -
What school-level or classroom-level factors might be contributing to this trend?
• Consider staffing, routines, culture, instructional practices. -
What external or community influences could be at play?
• Think about attendance drivers, family or neighborhood contexts. -
What do you see as the most likely “root cause”(s) of our climate challenges?
• Prioritize 1–2 causes for deeper exploration.
Synthesis & Next Steps
- Recorder: Identify the top 2 root causes your group will share.
- Presenter: Craft a 1-minute summary of your group’s findings.
Capture your group’s synthesis on the chart paper or digital document, then reconvene for the whole-group debrief.
Activity
PBIS Goal Mapping Activity Sheet
Instructions
In pairs, refer to the root causes identified during the Root Cause Roundtable Discussion Guide. For each root cause listed below,:
- Write a clear, measurable PBIS goal that addresses the root cause.
- Define a metric to track progress toward that goal.
- Outline specific action steps your team will take.
Chart your work in the table below.
| Root Cause | PBIS Goal | Metric for Tracking Progress | Action Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Feel free to add additional rows on a separate sheet if needed.
Worksheet
MTSS Implementation Self-Check Worksheet
Instructions
Individually assess your implementation of MTSS tiered supports against PBIS best practices. For each tier:
- Rate your current implementation (1 = not in place, 5 = fully implemented).
- Provide evidence or examples.
- Identify 1–2 action steps to improve alignment with PBIS goals.
Tier 1: Universal Supports
Implementation Rating (circle one): 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Examples:
Action Steps:
Tier 2: Targeted Supports
Implementation Rating (circle one): 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Examples:
Action Steps:
Tier 3: Intensive Supports
Implementation Rating (circle one): 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Examples:
Action Steps:
Overall Reflection & Next Steps
Based on your self-check, list 2–3 key priorities for next steps to better align MTSS with PBIS initiatives: