The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a way schools make sure all students get the help they need to succeed academically and behaviorally. It’s not a specific program but a framework that helps teachers and staff use data to provide personalized support for every student. MTSS ensures that students receive high-quality teaching, and for those who need extra help, it provides targeted support based on their unique needs.
With MTSS, schools regularly check on students’ progress and adjust their teaching strategies or interventions, if needed. It helps identify challenges early, whether they’re related to learning, behavior, or other factors, so students can get the right kind of help as soon as possible. MTSS is also used to help determine if a student may have a learning disability or another type of disability.
How Does MTSS Work?
MTSS uses three levels, or tiers, of support:
- Tier I (Primary, Core)
- High-quality teaching in the classroom for all students.
- Most students succeed with this level of support.
- Tier II (Secondary, Targeted)
- Extra help for students who need more support in specific areas, like reading or behavior.
- This might include small group instruction or focused interventions.
- Tier III (Tertiary, Intensive)
- Small group or individualized support for students who need the most help.
- This level provides the most intensive interventions to address individual challenges.
Key Features of MTSS
- Whole-School Approach: Teachers, school staff, and families work together to support every student.
- Data-Driven: Decisions are based on regular assessments and progress monitoring.
- Problem-Solving Process: Schools continually review and adjust supports to ensure students are making progress.
Why is MTSS Important?
MTSS helps all students grow by ensuring they get the right level of help when they need it. It focuses on early intervention and prevents small challenges from becoming bigger problems. This approach is designed to meet students where they are, whether they need a little extra support or more intensive help, so they can succeed in school and beyond.
District 57 Problem-Solving Process
School grade-level teams regularly review the data to determine which students need additional support and which students are on-track. If students are identified for additional support, an intervention is implemented and regular progress monitoring and data reviews occur. Once multiple cycles of intervention occur, students may be referred to individual problem-solving to better meet their needs which could lead to referral for a special education evaluation.