What is MTSS?

MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports. MTSS is a regular education initiative to provide all students with appropriate academic and behavioral instruction prior to student failure. Ongoing school-wide assessments (IE: Dibels/Acadience Math/Reading and STAR Math/Reading) are used to help identify students who are not meeting grade level benchmarks. Interventions are then put in place to meet the child's specific needs. The child's progress is continuously monitored and data informed decisions are made to develop a plan for the child be successful academically, socially and behaviorally.

What MTSS is:

Data-driven process to improve student achievement.
General education led effort implemented within the general education system, coordinated with other services including special education, therapies, etc.
System to provide instructional intervention immediately upon student need.
Process to determine if a student responds to scientific, research-based interventions.

What MTSS is NOT:

An individual teacher or classroom.
Special education program.
Extra period of reading or math instruction.
Separate stand-alone initiative.

As seen in the diagram below, this support follows a three-tiered model. As a child moves through tiers, from Tier 1 to Tier 3, the amount of time a student receives intervention increases, while the students served in those tiers decreases. Tier 1 provides interventions to all students in their regular education classroom. Tier 2 typically involves a student receiving one small group intervention, while Tier 3 provides for two or more interventions in a particular skill area, usually in a small group or 1:1 setting. To learn more about how the Interemdiate School provides MTSS services, please click here.

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