Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

What is Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)?
MTSS is a framework that is used in Spring-Ford to provide targeted support to students based on their needs. The MTSS process uses data and teacher observation to determine if a student may need additional supports academically, socially/emotionally or behaviorally. There are 3 tiers in MTSS. As students move from Tier 1 to Tier 3, the interventions increase in intensity or duration to meet the growing need.

When Do Interventions Occur?
The goal of MTSS in Spring-Ford is to foster success for each student in the general education setting. Interventions can take place in a variety of formats and locations. Some interventions occur directly in the classroom, either in small groups or individually. Some may occur in other locations, such as with a specialist or school counselor. Where and when interventions occur will be decided in the MTSS meeting and will be based on what is best for your child.

What to Expect in a MTSS Meeting

  1. A summary of collected data is discussed.
  2. Specific needs of the student are identified.
  3. Team determines the goal(s) for the student’s program.
  4. Team brainstorms ways to reach the established goal, and interventions are selected.
  5. Schedule a follow up meeting to review plans and assess progress.

Requesting Assistance
Teachers that see a need arise may request assistance from the MTSS Coordinator by completing the appropriate forms. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to keep open lines of communication with their child’s classroom teacher.

Who is Involved
The team may include the following members: Parents/ Guardians, Classroom Teacher, School Principal, MTSS Personnel, School Counselor, Specialists, and other school staff involved with implementing the process.

Next Steps
Following the request for assistance, the MTSS Coordinator will coordinate a meeting to discuss data that has been collected. The data will help the team pinpoint the academic, behavioral or social emotional need that the student is exhibiting. Data collected may include classroom observations, benchmark assessments, curriculum-based assessments and/or classroom projects.

5 Steps to MTSS

1. Identify a student’s specific need for academic, behavioral and/or social/emotional support.
2. Determine the specific strategies necessary to aid the student in identified areas of need.
3. Implement intervention strategies.
4. Support teachers and staff members as they implement these interventions to help the student improve.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention and determine if there are needs to make changes through a process called progress monitoring.

SEL Interventions

Interventions include additional instruction or tools and strategies to support skills in the areas of Behavioral Regulation, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning Skills and/or Social Skills.

Academic Intervention

Interventions include additional instruction and supports that supplement the regular classroom instruction and are necessary to improve academic performance for some students.