A Guide to the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI)

The Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) is a widely recognized assessment tool designed to help school leadership teams measure the implementation fidelity of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), specifically within the framework of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS). By providing a clear, evidence-based roadmap, the TFI allows schools to identify strengths and prioritize areas for improvement.

Purpose and Structure

The primary purpose of the TFI is to provide a valid, reliable, and efficient measure of the extent to which school personnel are applying the core features of SWPBIS at all three tiers. The inventory is divided into three distinct scales, reflecting the levels of support:

• Tier I: Universal School-Wide Features
• Tier II: Targeted Small Group Features
• Tier III: Intensive Individualized Features

The Scoring Process

The TFI is intended to be completed by a school leadership team in collaboration with an external facilitator. The scoring process relies on a consensus-based approach, where team members review data, documentation, and operational practices to arrive at a score for each item.

Guidelines for Accurate Scoring

To ensure the validity of the TFI results, teams should adhere to a few core principles during the evaluation:

1. Rely on Evidence

Scoring should never be based solely on opinion. The team must examine specific "products" or data sources. For example, if an item asks about the presence of a behavior expectation matrix, the team must physically view the matrix or see it posted in school settings. Without evidence, a score of "2" cannot be justified.

2. Consensus-Based Decision Making

The TFI is a team activity. It encourages conversation among staff members to build a shared understanding of what constitutes "full implementation." If team members disagree on a score, the discussion should focus on identifying what information is missing and what steps are needed to reach the next level of implementation.

3. Maintaining Neutrality

External facilitators are recommended to provide objectivity. They help ensure that the team is not inflating scores to appear more successful than they currently are. The goal of the TFI is not to "pass" an assessment, but to identify honest gaps in practice so that the school can create an effective action plan.

Using TFI Results for Improvement

Once the scoring is complete, the TFI results serve as the foundation for an Action Plan. Schools should identify items that received a score of "0" or "1" and prioritize them based on student needs and school capacity. The TFI is designed to be administered periodicallytypically once or twice a yearto track growth over time and ensure that systems remain sustainable as staff, students, and school priorities evolve.

By regularly utilizing the TFI, schools move away from subjective assessments of their climate and systems, shifting instead toward a data-driven culture that prioritizes student outcomes and long-term behavioral success.