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Supporting Every Student: How MTSS Helps
Supporting Every Student: How MTSS Helps
Every child learns differently. Some students may need extra help with academics. Others may face challenges with behavior, emotions, or attendance. And some may need support in more than one area. So how do schools respond when a student is struggling?
At OCM BOCES, we believe every child deserves the chance to succeed. One of the key ways we support students is through a framework called MTSS — Multi-Tiered System of Supports.
MTSS is a proactive, schoolwide approach that helps all students — not just those who struggle. It combines high-quality instruction, regular progress checks, and targeted support to meet each student’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
What Does MTSS Look Like?
What Does MTSS Look Like?
Think of MTSS as a layered support system:
Tier 1: Support for all students through strong teaching and a positive school environment.
Tier 2: Extra help for students who need a bit more support.
Tier 3: Intensive, individualized support for students with more significant needs.
This structure allows educators to respond quickly when students need help — before challenges become bigger problems.
How Families Fit In
How Families Fit In
We know that parents and caregivers are essential partners in a child’s learning journey. That’s why we created this resource to help you:
Understand what MTSS is and how it works.
Cut through the education jargon.
Ask helpful questions if your child is receiving support.
Learn how you can be part of the MTSS team.
Find out where to turn if you have questions or concerns.
Let’s Work Together
Let’s Work Together
Explore the information below to learn more about how MTSS works in our schools — and how we can work together to help your child thrive.
What can YOU do? Get involved!
What can YOU do? Get involved!
How can parents and community members get involved?
Touch base!
Families and caregivers are the earliest teachers for our students. Reach out to your student’s teacher via email or phone, during conferences, after school, etc., and share your thoughts about your student’s strengths, as well as any academic, social-emotional, and/or behavioral concerns.
Ask for data!
Ask your student’s teachers for regular updates regarding universal screening and progress monitoring results.
Ask questions!
Your student’s teacher can provide information regarding the high-quality curriculum being taught and the research behind any interventions provided.
What else can you do?
What else can you do?
What happens if an intervention is not working? Parents play a critical role in supporting what their children are learning in school. Research shows that the more parents are involved in student learning, the higher the student achievement.
There are many ways parents can support what their child is doing in school. Here are a few:
Make reading an everyday habit at home
Communicate with your child's teacher
Monitor and assist with homework assignments
Ask for regular monitoring reports
Share your child's successes!
Learn more about the curricula and interventions being used in your child's school
Attend parent/teacher conferences and other school meetings about your child
Check with your child's school to see what Tier 1 interventions are already being given to all students!
Check with your child's school to see what Tier 1 interventions are already being given to all students!
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