Multi Tiered System of Supports

Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a collaborative, evidence-based approach to differentiating and personalizing instruction and intervention, across academics and behavior for all students – so that every student can achieve academic and life success.  MTSS is one of the most effective ways to provide an equitable educational experience, because it leverages collective knowledge and expertise to help teachers understand their learners’ needs and make informed and strategic decisions that best support them.

The MTSS process begins with the proactive identification of students in need of additional support in a skill area (i.e., reading, math, behavior). Identified students receive interventions that are matched to their individual skill deficit and level of need.  Student skill progress is monitored over time, to determine the student’s response to interventions.  When identified skill deficits have been remediated, interventions are discontinued as no longer necessary.  If a student continues to struggle, further problem solving is provided to determine the need for more intensive supports and/or services.  At each stage of the MTSS process, data-based decision making is used as a systematic way of individualizing supports and interventions for students in need.  MTSS includes the following broad areas:  Academic, Mental Health, Positive Behavior Supports, Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practice.  These areas are often referred to as the Five Pillars of MTSS.