Foundations for Implementation
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) refers to all of the instructional strategies, interventions, and other resources that are used to help all students achieve. An effective system blends culturally-responsive academic and behavior supports to create effective environments that address a range of student needs.
An MTSS makes sure all students are successful by:
- Using data to make smart choices about how to provide instruction and support
- Selecting curricula, instructional strategies and interventions that have a high likelihood of working:
- Reviewing practices to make sure they're effective
- Organizing school and district resources to meet student need
The Critical Components of an MTSS
A multi-tiered system of supports requires effective leadership, communication, capacity building, and data systems. Utilizing a continuous improvement model, district and school-based leaders use data-based problem solving to identify organizational changes to make their MTSS more effective.
This is what students get, and includes:
- Learning standards & behavioral expectations
- Curriculum & instruction practices
- Evidence-based programs & practices
- Integrated achievement & behavior supports
The frequency & intensity of services are matched to student need.
This is how we decide who gets what.
- Structured process used with fidelity
- Relies on collaborative and team-based decision-making
- Effectiveness of decisions is measured by student growth
- Includes decision protocols/decision rules
The frequency & intensity of problem solving is matched to need.
Effective leaders:
- Are actively involved with MTSS implementation
- Share leadership responsibilities
- Organize practices within a tiered framework
- Recognize the importance of fidelity for successful outcomes
- Strategically allocate professional development resources
- Positively influence the culture and climate of the school
- Engage in reciprocal coaching practices with stakeholders
Includes:
- Ongoing, data-driven professional development & coaching
- Professional development matched to educator responsibilities
- Schedules that allow for multiple tiers of instruction/intervention & team-based problem solving
- Established written practices, policies and implementation guidance (e.g., plans)
Effective teaming and communication practices:
- Build & sustain consensus about MTSS
- Build purposeful relationships
- Are transparent & inclusive when reviewing implementation & student data
- Are aligned to stakeholder roles & responsibilities
- Coordinate efficient use of resources
Data-based decision making depends on:
- A data culture that understands that data may be used in multiple ways
- Having consensus on the purpose for using data,
- A “data system” that includes roles & responsibilities for using data (from district to classroom)
- Multiple sources and types of reliable and valid data
- Data summarized in user-friendly manner
- Data summaries that are matched to guiding questions for problem solving
Additional Reading