Data-Based Consulting, Inc.
Dr. Mark R. Shinn — MTSS & CBM Expert
Practical, research-based resources and consultation for schools committed to better outcomes for every student.
What Dr. Shinn Offers
Highly Decodable R-CBM Passages (K–1)
PURCHASE Reliable and Valid Highly Decodable Reading CBM Passages for Kindergarten and Grade 1 — for universal screening, progress monitoring, and MTSS Tier 1, 2, and 3 decision-making.
Learn moreSpelling CBM (S-CBM) Lists
PURCHASE two sets of S-CBM lists: (1) Highly Decodable S-CBM word lists for Grade 1, derived from Dr. Shinn's HD Passages — for universal screening, serving as a second gate in Multiple Gating, and progress monitoring. (2) A separate set of graded S-CBM lists for Grades 1–8, with 20 lists per grade — Mark's second recommendation for the MTSS Benchmarking and Frequent Progress Monitoring assessment toolbox.
Learn moreBespoke Webinars
SCHEDULE Your Own Customized Webinars on MTSS basic skills screening including dyslexia, special education eligibility including SLD, progress monitoring, Tier goal setting, and Conducting 3-Year Re-Evaluations
Learn moreBespoke Consultation
SCHEDULE Consultation or Feedback on Your Own MTSS Implementation Issues
Learn moreWritten Expression CBM (WE-CBM) Story Starters
PURCHASE Reliable and Valid Written Expression CBM Story Starters for Grades 2–6 — for universal screening, progress monitoring, and MTSS Tier 1, 2, and 3 decision-making.
Learn moreMTSS Tiered Resource Planner
PURCHASE The MTSS Tiered Resource Planner — a practical downloadable app for organizing and planning your school's tiered intervention resources.
Learn moreStudent-Teacher Interaction Code (STIC)
PURCHASE The STIC — a web-based classroom observation app that compares a student of concern's critical behaviors with classroom peers in 30-second intervals. Works on computer, iPad, and phone, offline after activation.
Learn moreCBM Books
PURCHASE Copies of the original CURRICULUM-BASED MEASUREMENT (CBM) books edited by Dr. Mark R. Shinn.
A Little About Dr. Mark R. Shinn
Dr. Mark R. Shinn is a nationally recognized expert in Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM), Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and data-based decision making. He has consulted with schools and districts in 45 states, helping educators move from compliance-driven special education to proactive, prevention-focused systems.
A former professor at the University of Minnesota and National Louis University, Dr. Shinn has trained thousands of school psychologists, special educators, and administrators. His work bridges research and practice — making complex assessment and intervention frameworks accessible to real schools with real students.
A former professor at the University of Minnesota and National Louis University, Dr. Shinn has trained thousands of school psychologists, special educators, and administrators. His work bridges research and practice — making complex assessment and intervention frameworks accessible to real schools with real students.
Research-Based. Practitioner-Tested. Results-Focused.
Research-based tools and consultation built for real schools — practical, proven, and grounded in 40+ years of CBM and MTSS expertise.
See What Educators SayDr. Shinn doesn't just teach MTSS — he helps you build a system that works before students fall behind.
— Special Education Director, 45-state consulting client
What Educators Are Saying
Trusted by Schools Across the Country
Dr. Shinn's MTSS Tiered Resource Planner completely changed how our team approaches the start of the school year. We now have a proactive plan in place before students walk through the door — instead of scrambling in October.
Jennifer Kowalski
Director of Special Education
Midwest Regional School District
The Highly Decodable R-CBM Passages are exactly what we needed. They align with our Science of Reading curriculum and give us reliable data for our K–1 universal screening. Our teachers trust the results.
Marcus T. Williams
School Psychologist
Lincoln Elementary, Chicago, IL
We used the STIC App to observe a student of concern and compare his behavior to peers. The data made our team meeting so much more productive — everyone could see the same picture. It's become a standard part of our process.
Rachel Okonkwo
Special Education Coordinator
Riverside Unified School District
Dr. Shinn's webinar on dyslexia screening within MTSS was the clearest explanation I've heard in 20 years of practice. He makes the research accessible and gives you a roadmap you can actually follow.
David Hernandez
District Psychologist
Southwest ISD, Texas
The S-CBM Spelling word lists filled a gap we didn't even know we had. Now we have a reliable second gate for our universal screening process that our teachers can administer in minutes.
Susan Park
Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator
Northview Elementary School District
Dr. Shinn on Substack
Read the Latest Research & Practice Insights
Subscribe to Dr. Shinn's Substack for practical guidance on MTSS, CBM, dyslexia screening, and Science of Reading implementation — written for educators, not researchers.
Looking for a proven phonics reading program? Check out FUNNIX — Dr. Shinn's recommended structured literacy curriculum.
Learn About FUNNIX