MTSS
Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports
What is MTSS?
Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a systematic, continuous framework that ensures student success and growth by meeting their academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs.
At Tier 2, schools provide small group, standardized academic interventions or targeted behavioral or mental health supports using validated intervention programs. Teams select or design interventions and supports that have demonstrated positive effects for desired outcomes and are aligned with student needs. Tier 2 interventions and supports are delivered with fidelity at an appropriate duration and frequency to ensure students have increased opportunities for practice and corrective feedback.
How is MTSS different than current practice?
MTSS has three levels, or tiers, of instruction and support, all aimed at giving teachers a streamlined way to provide the best instruction to all students.
- Tier I includes the instruction and support provided to all children.
- Tier II serves students needing more help. Extra instruction and support often are provided to these children in small groups.
- Tier III is for children who need intense support in order to succeed. Extra instruction and support are provided, often in even smaller groups or one-on-one.
MTSS provides guidelines to more quickly identify both challenges and solutions. Timely data – including test scores, suspension rates, attendance and more – are used to help problem solve and identify the levels of supports needed for students.
At Tier 3, schools implement intensive intervention to help students with severe and persistent learning and/or behavioral needs, including students with disabilities. Data-based individualization (DBI) is a validated approach to providing intensive intervention in academics and behavior. It is not a specific program, but a data-driven process that is characterized by increased intensity and individualization of instruction and tailored supports.
Belief
We believe that a comprehensive MTSS model that addresses the academic and social/behavioral needs of all students will enable the educational system to focus resources more effectively and efficiently to guarantee that all students will become college and career ready.
Why MTSS?
By providing tiered instruction the teacher is able to differentiate to meet the academic, social/behavioral needs of the individual student.
How does MTSS work?
MTSS will make all students more successful in school while keeping them on track for graduation and preparing them to be college/career ready. MTSS has been proven effective in districts across the country.
Tier 1 includes academic, social, emotional, and behavioral curriculum, instruction, and supports aligned to grade-level standards and student needs. At Tier 1, educators use instructional strategies and practices shown to be effective for the student population and educational context. In effective Tier 1 systems, most students benefit from Tier 1 programming alone and teachers use differentiation to ensure all students can access and benefit from core programming. Consistency in the use of evidence-based practices and supports is essential for collective efficacy at Tier 1. Effective Tier 1 ensures positive school climate and conditions for learning.