Beyond Adoption: Building Sustainable MTSS in Schools

Think Forward Educators presents 'Beyond Adoption: Building Sustainable MTSS in Schools,' a webinar featuring researcher and school leader Karina Stocker sharing new findings on what it actually takes to implement and sustain Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in Australian schools. This session moves beyond the theoretical case for MTSS to confront the practical realities of implementation—what makes change stick, what makes it fragile, and what leaders and teachers need to consider if MTSS is to deliver on its promise of equity and improved student outcomes. Karina Stocker brings a rare combination of frontline experience and rigorous research to this topic. As an MTSS Lead and Instructional Coach at Docklands Primary School—part of the 2024 Victorian Education Excellence Award winners for Outstanding Achievement—she has lived the challenges of implementation. Her doctoral research at Monash University examines how evidence-based practices and MTSS frameworks are implemented in Australian schools, with published findings highlighting the critical roles of resources, context, staff knowledge, and school leadership in determining whether MTSS takes root or quietly erodes over time. Think Forward Educators is a community dedicated to the Science of Learning for Excellence and Equity, bringing together teachers, school leaders, specialists, parents, researchers, and advocates. For participants in this session, the focus will be on diagnosing implementation challenges, strengthening internal systems, and developing the conditions for sustainable, evidence-informed reform—practical knowledge that applies whether a school is just beginning its MTSS journey or working to maintain momentum after initial adoption.