MTSS Overview
Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
MTSS is an integrated framework for the systemic alignment of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices to support all the needs of all students. Taking a whole child approach, MTSS seeks to support the academic, behavior, mental health and wellness of all learners.
Guiding Principles for MTSS
MTSS is as much a way of thinking as it is a process of doing. There are both important guiding principles that drive the work and essential actions to do for MTSS to function. However, within these parameters, each school must be flexible regarding how to implement these practices to best meet the unique needs of the students they serve with the resources available.
Elements that guide the MTSS framework in Lamar CISD:
- Culture of Collective Responsibility. Every LCISD stakeholder…
- Believes that all students can learn at high levels.
- Accept responsibility for ensuring high levels of learning for every student.
PLC Connection: Our purpose is student learning.
- Collaborative Teams focused on high-quality, differentiated instruction for all students. Effective instruction is designed to create individual learning pathways that enable all students to close the gaps and access and master essential knowledge and skills.
PLC Connection: What do we want students to know and be able to do?
- Data-Driven Decision Making. Multiple sources of data are routinely collected and analyzed to determine the learning needs of each student and the effectiveness of the curriculum and instruction in meeting those needs.
PLC Connection: How will we know if they have learned it?
- Systematic Action. Each student’s growth on the learning continuum will guide the planning and implementation of appropriate next steps to ensure that all students learn at grade level or higher. This calls for continuous improvement of instruction and systematic processes at all levels.
PLC Connection: What do we do if they did not learn it? What do we do if they have learned it?
The MTSS guiding principles align to the core principles of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and support the district’s vision.
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Lamar CISD is committed to providing high-quality instruction and support to promote the achievement of all students. At the school level, the Multi-Tiered System of Support is the framework used to maximize the success of all students.
What is MTSS?
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a framework that focuses on intervention best practices within the areas of academics, behavior, and mental health support for all students.
To meet this challenge, MTSS provides an intentional and systematic approach, relying on data to help educators match the correct level of support to what students need.
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Senate Bill 1153, 85th Texas Legislature, requires schools to notify a parent of each child who receives assistance from the school for learning difficulties every year. This includes support provided through an MTSS program that is above the level of intervention used with all children.
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- Use MTSS to delay or deny access to special education or other supports for students.
- Require a student to go through all MTSS tiers or spend a certain amount of time in MTSS before they are referred for a special education evaluation.
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Throughout the year, schools conduct screenings for all students to assess their knowledge and identify areas where they may need additional support. For students who require extra help, a problem-solving process is initiated to design and implement targeted interventions, while regularly monitoring their progress.
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Tier 1: Universal Core Instruction
All students receive effective instruction that includes evidence-based practices, research-based curricula, and differentiation.
Tier 2: Targeted Skill-Building Support
In addition to Tier 1, teachers provide small group intervention and support to those who are considered at risk for academic or behavioral difficulties.
Tier 3: Intensive Intervention Support
In addition to Tier 1 and 2, a highly qualified educator provides intensive intervention support to those who demonstrate significant and persistent learning and/or behavior needs. Interventions are more individualized, using diagnostic data to inform which evidence-based practices to use or adapt.
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Through MTSS educators identify students in need of additional support and provide these students with intervention strategies to help close academic and behavioral gaps.
These supports may include, but are not limited to:
- Explicit instruction with modeling
- Systematic instruction with scaffolded support
- Diagnostic and prescriptive teaching
- Multisensory instruction
- Small group intervention
- Structured mentorship
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Classroom accommodations
- Testing accommodations
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Contact your child’s teacher, the school administrator, or the school counselor with your concerns.
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- Information on my child’s progress;
- Notice of academic or behavior concerns;
- Instruction and intervention that is matched to my child’s needs;
- Feedback on how my child is responding and making progress; and
- Involvement in individual, data-based problem-solving for my child.