Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

MTSS

Parents are essential in helping students develop into successful learners. It is the District’s responsibility to provide detailed explanations with appropriate documentation so parents are well aware of the progress of their children. Involving parents in the MTSS process will maximize educational outcomes for their children.

As with all aspects of education, parents play a critical role in the MTSS process. Strong parent communication procedures in all areas of the school will support open lines of information regarding all teaching and learning initiative.

What are the essential components of the MTSS Process?

MTSS is a multi-step approach to providing services and interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. MTSS allows for early intervention by providing academic and behavioral support rather than waiting for a child to fail before offering help.

The elements of an MTSS approach are: providing scientific, research-based instruction and interventions in general education; monitoring and measuring student progress in response to the instruction and interventions; and using these measures of student progress in response to the instruction and interventions; and using these measures of student progress to shape instruction and make educational decisions.

How can parents be involved in the MTSS process?

The hallmarks of effective home-school collaboration include open communication and involvement of parents in all stages of the learning process. Being informed about your school’s MTSS process is the first step to becoming an active partner. The district invites parents to take part in the district MTSS Committee as well as school curriculum nights and open houses where specific information regarding grade level/building approaches to supporting students can be found. If your child is receiving any type of support, you will be informed and invited to any pertinent meetings including Individual Problem Solving Meetings (IPS).

What are the potential benefits of MTSS?

EXPLANATION OF TIERED INTERVENTIONS

Tier 1: Standards Based Classroom Learning

At Tier 1 effective instruction is given to all students in the classroom. This type of instruction/learning focuses on the State Standards and includes evidenced-based instruction that is differentiated according to students’ various needs. Tier 1 instruction includes academic areas, behavioral and social development. This tier represents effective, strategic, and expert instruction that is available in the classroom.

Tier 2: Needs Based Learning

All students who need a Tier 2 intervention (in addition to their Tier 1 instruction) should be identified through progress monitoring evaluation data. These are students who are not meeting the standards or development milestones with Tier 1 pre-planned interventions alone. The expertise of team members develop interventions which are monitored at the school level. Tier 2 interventions are proactive and maintain high expectations for all students.

Tier 3: Student Support Team Driven Learning

When a student does not make progress in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions, he/she is referred to Tier 3. Tier 3 provides an additional layer of specifically designed interventions. The grade-level Professional Learning Team (PLT) meets to discuss students who are still not provided the instructional experiences to meet their needs. Specific instructional interventions and specific behavioral interventions are then put in place for the student and progress monitoring processes that can be formal or informal in nature. These scientifically-based interventions are monitored frequently to determine if the student is responding to the interventions.

In This Section

Parental Communication

Once a child is placed into an intervention, parents will be informed and as the child progresses through an intervention, updates will occur. If an Individual Problem Solving meeting needs to occur, the parent will be notified and invited to participate.

Resources for Families

Understanding RTI/MTSS

RTI Action Network - Resources for Parents and Families

MTSS Tier Chart