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Georgia educators are aligning to create a preventive framework to improve the performance outcomes of all learners. Georgia's Tiered System of Supports for Students is the continued implementation of Georgia's Systems of Continuous Improvement, the statewide plan to provide a tiered system of supports for the districts, schools, and students. The tiered system includes evidence-based interventions and screenings to provide the support needed at different levels to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems.
What is MTSS?
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is, first and foremost, about helping students. More specifically, MTSS is a way that districts and schools organize and deliver instruction to ensure that students receive the support they need to be successful.
By operating as an MTSS, schools acknowledge that students’ needs vary, so the best way to help them achieve is to provide instruction matching those needs. Within an MTSS, educators carefully monitor student progress and ensure that all students receive effective instruction while providing targeted or individualized support when needed.
The Henry County Schools’ Multi-Tiered System of Supports is a proactive prevention framework of team-driven, data-informed problem-solving that improves the outcomes of all students through effective leadership, family, school, and community partnering, and a layered continuum of evidence-based practices and supports. Think of MTSS as a school-wide safety net. It’s a proactive, three-tiered model for supporting all students, not a specific program.
Your Role at Tier 2: What to Do Before a Formal Meeting
Your Role at Tier 2: What to Do Before a Formal Meeting
Tier 2 is the most crucial time for you to be an active partner with your child's teacher; your job is to be a collaborative partner.
1. Ask Specific Questions
When the teacher informs you that your child is entering a Tier 2 intervention (like a research or evidence-based intervention, EIP, or REP), contact your child's teacher and ask these key questions:
The Data: "What specific data (e.g., MAP scores, reading-level data, test grades) shows my child is struggling?"
The Intervention: "What is the name of the intervention program you will be using?" and "Is it a research-based program?"
The "How": "How will this support be delivered? (e.g., How many minutes per day? How many days per week? Will they be pulled out of class?"
The "Who": "Who will be providing the intervention? (e.g., you, the teacher, or another specialist?)"
2. Ask to See the Data (Progress Monitoring)
This is the most critical part of Tier 2. The entire point of the intervention is to see if it works, and "progress monitoring" is how the school tracks this.
Ask for a "Progress Monitoring" schedule: "How often will you be checking my child's progress on this specific skill?" (A typical answer should be every 1-2 weeks).
Schedule a follow-up: "Can we plan to check in again in 3-4 weeks to see the data and decide if it's working?"
Check the Parent Portal: Use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to monitor your child's grades, but be aware that the teacher may keep progress-monitoring data for a specific intervention and may not appear in the portal. You must ask for it.
3. Partner at Home
Ask the teacher, "What is one thing I can do at home to support this specific skill?" This shows you are part of the team.
What is SST?
If your child's data shows they are still struggling after Tier 2 interventions, the school will move to Tier 3. The Student Support Team (SST) is a problem-solving process in every Georgia school. Its purpose is to find ways around roadblocks to success for any student referred to it. Several recent events and decisions, both national and state, have placed greater emphasis on the SST process. The SST supports students receiving Tier 3 supports.
The realization that conditions beyond mere academics play a pivotal role for students at risk of failure. School-based management and problem-solving have become recognized successes in the national education reform movement. The SST process allows schools to demonstrate progress towards better teacher support and more parent involvement.
SST Meetings
This is a formal "problem-solving" meeting where a team gets together to discuss next steps. Every school has Student Support Team (SST) Chairs who organize and facilitate SST meetings. These individuals understand the structures, processes, and people needed to create plans for student success. The work is in conjunction with the MTSS administrator to ensure the MTSS/SST framework is implemented with fidelity.
Student Support Teams use the problem-solving model to create intervention plans and monitor progress toward goals.
Problem Identification
Problem Analysis
Plan Implementation
Plan Evaluation
Your Rights
You Have the Right to Be Invited. The school must invite you to all SST meetings about your child. You are an equal member of this team.
You Have the Right to Participate. Your input is critical. You will be encouraged to share your child's strengths, your concerns, and what you see at home.
You Have the Right to See All Data. The team will present all progress-monitoring data collected during Tier 2. You have the right to a copy of this data and to have it explained to you.
You Have the Right to Request a Special Education Evaluation. If the team agrees that Tier 3 interventions are still not enough, the next step is often a referral for a Special Education (IEP) or Section 504 evaluation. You can make this request at any time (even before Tier 3), but the school may ask to complete the MTSS process first. The school must get your written consent before conducting this type of formal evaluation.
The Georgia Department of Education gives guidance on SST requirements.
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