Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

Tier 1 Universal: Intervention/ Supplemental Supports Provided to All Students. 

Instruction at Tier 1 should be explicit, and differentiated, and include flexible grouping and active student engagement. High-quality instruction is essential to ensure that 80% of students’ needs are met at Tier 1. 

Tier 2 Targeted: Early Intervention/ Supplemental Supports to Some Students 

At Tier 2, students identified as being at-risk academically or behaviorally through universal screeners are provided scientific, research-based interventions in addition to the core. Tier 2 interventions are implemented with groups of students demonstrating common skill deficits or social/emotional/behavioral risk characteristics. These students should be observed, then a collaborative intervention plan is developed, monitored, and documented. 

Tier 3 Intensive: Support for Students Facing the Greatest Challenges 

Students who have not demonstrated progress with targeted group interventions at Tier 2 require more time in more intensive interventions. Tier 3 interventions are distinguished from Tier 2 interventions because they are individualized based on data collected in individual problem solving, occur with smaller student-teacher or student-support staff ratios (e.g., ideally 1-on-1, however, groups of 3 to 5 students or a larger group broken into a few groups of 3-5 students, is acceptable for middle and high schools), and possibly occur for a longer duration of time (e.g., more daily minutes or more weeks spent in intervention).