What is MTSS?
A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a term you might hear at school or from other parents. You might hear it referred to as the MTSS framework, process, or model.
But no matter what it's called, the MTSS has a fundamental goal. It is designed to help schools quickly identify struggling students and intervene by providing targeted support.
What exactly is MTSS? This is a model many schools use for struggling students. It focuses on "the child as a whole." It supports academic development and achievement and addresses many other areas, including behavior, social and emotional needs, and attendance.
Most teachers are familiar with Response to Intervention (RTI), but MTSS isn't the same thing, although it can include RTI in its supports.
MTSS is a three or four-tiered system (based on district choice). The tiers are:
- Whole-class instruction
- Small-group interventions
- Individualized support
- Special Education Evaluation
While this looks very similar to RTI, the main difference is that MTSS includes social, emotional, and behavioral needs, while RTI's focus is strictly academic. Therefore, MTSS can include RTI in its academic system but needs to provide additional support for MTSS's social, emotional, and behavioral aspects. Many districts choose to use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to meet this need.
MTSS has these elements:
- Universal screening
- Increasing levels of targeted support for struggling students
- Integrated plans that address students' academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs
- Evidence-based strategies
- Frequent progress monitoring of students to decide if they need more interventions
- School-wide approach to student support
- Family engagement
- Professional development for staff*
*The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides state funding for professional development opportunities so teachers can learn how to use MTSS more effectively.
Students who are struggling in school move through the MTSS under the watchful eye of a whole team of educators who are carefully monitoring their progress. This can give parents and caregivers peace of mind, knowing that their child is getting what they need to be successful at school.
Rosen, P. (n.d.). What is MTSS?. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/mtss-what-you-need-to-know
