Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework that focuses on intervention best practices within the areas of academics, behavior, and social/emotional supports for the whole child. Tiers are based on student need and increase the level of support provided as a student moves from classroomwide, to targeted and intensive interventions.

The goal of MTSS is to find struggling students early and quickly provide intervention. The systems use interventions proven by research to meet a student’s needs. Progress monitoring data is used to make decisions about movement between the tiers.

There are typically three tiers of support in an MTSS model.+

• Tier 1 includes high quality classroom-wide instruction and support for all students.
• Tier 2 provides targeted support to address a student’s gaps in skills.
• Tier 3 involves intensive support usually provided more often and in smaller groups.

• 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.