No two learners are the same. Students in classrooms have a wide range of strengths and needs, not just academically, but also socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. An intervention that might work for one student may not be the best strategy for another child. Individualized support is key to supporting the whole child.
Schools and districts frequently implement targeted systems of support and intervention, such as a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). But what exactly is MTSS?
What is a Multi-Tiered System of Support?
MTSS is an educational framework designed to support all students academically, behaviorally, and socially-emotionally through data-driven decision-making. As the name implies, this tiered framework helps teachers and administrators address and identify students’ varied needs to provide proactive, systematic support.
Key components of MTSS
The system is widely used across the country, but MTSS education and awareness are important to ensure educators understand the framework's purpose. The essential components of MTSS include screening, progress monitoring, multi-leveled support, and data-based decisions through collaboration.
A district or school could use a comprehensive MTSS plan to manage academic, social-emotional, and behavioral supports, or they might implement the tiered framework in a specific content area, like reading.
MTSS is very comprehensive, accounting for students’ varying levels of academic and social-emotional support. Some schools might also implement Response to Intervention (RTI) or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) under the umbrella framework of MTSS. MTSS is much broader than RTI, accounting for the whole child and striving for the involvement of stakeholders, like family and community members, for students’ success. MTSS also encompasses a wider net by incorporating professional development and school culture.
What are the MTSS tiers?
MTSS includes three tiers that increase personalized support. These tiers help schools organize interventions based on intensity so that all students receive the support they need. Students can move flexibly between levels as needed.
Tier 1: Universal Supports (75-90%)
This tier involves general support and instruction given to all students. Teachers implement high-quality, evidence-based teaching methods to ensure the whole class can access strong, equitable instruction.
Tier 2: Targeted Supports (10-25%)
In Tier 2, students who need extra help receive more targeted, small-group interventions in specific areas where they struggle. These supports are typically short-term and aim to get students back on track.
Tier 3: Intensive, Individualized Supports (1-10%)
For at-risk students who need more intensive help, Tier 3 provides highly individualized interventions. This often includes one-on-one support, specialized instruction, or even collaboration with specialists.
How can you support students with MTSS?
What does MTSS teaching and learning look like? Here are strategies to support MTSS as an educator.
1. Start with team-driven leadership
MTSS is a group effort, and strong administrative support is vital to ensure shared goals are met. Administrators must provide teachers with clarity around processes, expectations, and overarching instructional goals.
2. Engage in collaborative planning
Strong leadership should empower frequent collaboration amongst teams. In an MTSS framework, teachers often work with other educators, specialists, or interventionists to plan and coordinate support. Regular communication ensures consistency and alignment, especially for students receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions.
3. Organize a process for data-based problem-solving
Teachers play a key role in collecting and analyzing data to identify students who need additional support. Regular assessments, observations, and progress monitoring help teachers understand where students excel or face challenges.
4. Partner with families & communities
Family engagement is crucial in MTSS. Teachers should communicate with families about students' progress, share strategies that can be used at home, and work collaboratively to support students holistically.
5. Implement a continuum of supports
Differentiation helps address diverse learning needs, even within Tier 1. Teachers can offer choices, scaffold content, and use flexible grouping to make instruction more accessible for all students. Frequent progress monitoring allows teachers to track students’ growth and assess if interventions are effective. If students aren’t making progress, teachers can adjust strategies or increase the level of support.
6. Use evidence-based practices
To maximize the impact of instruction, teachers should use research-backed strategies and practices at each MTSS tier. For instance, structured literacy programs in Tier 1 can help reduce the number of students needing additional reading support at higher tiers.
7. Foster a positive classroom environment
MTSS encompasses children's social-emotional and behavioral needs, so it’s important for teachers to create positive and supportive classroom spaces. Encouraging growth mindsets, connecting with students, providing actionable feedback, infusing technology, and modeling empathy are some ways teachers can help students become self-assured learners.
Discover evidence-based STEM learning tools
Research-based tools are critical for academic support within MTSS. ExploreLearning’s K-12 math and science solutions are driven by research with proven impacts on student achievement to support learning at all levels. ExploreLearning is committed to continuous teacher development through PD and expansive educator resources.
Elementary Math
ExploreLearning’s elementary math solutions provide adaptive and individualized practice to meet each child’s unique level of understanding. Reflex helps all students develop math fact fluency, and Frax supports all learners in achieving fractions success. Built-in progress monitoring and reporting features make it easy to analyze student understanding in relation to broader instructional goals connected to MTSS.
Try Reflex Try FraxK-12 STEM
Gizmos virtual simulations and STEM Cases (grades 3-12) promote inquiry-based learning and provide endless opportunities to support MTSS goals, including customization, differentiation, and progress monitoring using formative assessments. For the youngest learners, Science4Us helps K-2 students develop science knowledge and confidence for strong foundations in upper elementary.
Try Gizmos Try Science4Us