Courses in the Diverse Learners category offer opportunities to learn about evidence-based practices and policies for supporting a variety of learners. Courses will provide more information about supporting diverse students within the MTSS framework and will speak to the multiple components that make up an individual's identity, including but not limited to: race, economic background, gender, language, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, and ability. As such, courses in this category will include topics such as multilingual learners, students with disabilities and/or students who are differently abled, and LGBTQ youth. At MTSS Rhode Island, diversity is seen as a strength and not an obstacle to overcome.

Help with Search courses

Purposeful Instructional Design at Tier 1--Part 1 Foundations

The most critical aspect of Tier 1 is examination and evaluation of instruction during the phases of designing, planning, implementing and assessing as it pertains to student learning. In this foundational course, participants will examine the power of teacher self-reflection in the planning, design and implementation of instruction at Tier 1. This is important for all students and especially multilingual learners. Critical aspects of instructional design, such as data collection and use of evidence-based instructional delivery practices and how they apply to language learners, are discussed. Special considerations for multilingual learners at the intersection of language and learning are also explored. Participants will:

  • Reflect on and assess instruction and assessment;
  • Learn to collect and analyze student background and family data;
  • Consider the distinction between language and learning; and
  • Understand the importance of scaffolds in instructional lesson planning.

This course is Part 1 of a two-part series and is designed to establish foundational understanding before moving into Part 2, where participants will learn specific evidence-based strategies for instructional design with special considerations for multilingual learners. Upon completion of all Part 1 course requirements, participants will receive an enrollment key which will allow access to the Part 2 course (Purposeful Instructional Design at Tier 1--Part 2 Advanced).


Intended Audiences

K-12 General and Special Education Teachers, Building Administrators

Course Type

Self-paced

Recommended # of PLUs

2 PLUs


Course Contact: Michele Walden-Doppke

Purposeful Instructional Design at Tier 1--Part 2 Advanced

This course is the second part of a two-part series and builds on the elements learned in Purposeful Instructional Design at Tier 1--Part 1 Foundations. In this Part 2 Advanced course, we will provide more in-depth evidence-based strategies for instructional design with special considerations for multilingual student populations. In this course participants will examine critical aspects of instructional design and instructional assessment in Tier 1, including:

  • Reflect on and assess instruction and assessment as well as the role of physical environment and classroom climate in teaching and learning;

  • Examine and assemble more advanced evidence-based strategies for Tier 1 instructional practices;

  • Apply translanguaging strategies; and 

  • Explore cross-linguistic features of common home languages in their communities.

Purposeful Instructional Design at Tier 1--Part 1 Foundations is a prerequisite to this course. Once you enroll in that course and complete all required activities, you will unlock the enrollment key which allows you to enroll in this course. Copy and paste the enrollment key when prompted to enroll in this course. If you have any challenges with this process, please contact Michele Walden-Doppke.


Intended Audiences

K-12 General and Special Education Teachers, Building Administrators

Course Type

Self-paced

Recommended # of PLUs

2 PLUs


Course Contact: Michele Walden-Doppke