Why did MTSS start?

The beginnings of MTSS emerged from RtI and problem-solving models that were designed both to provide interventions to students at risk for failure in one or more subject areas, pre- referral information for students who might need special education services (particularly those with learning disabilities), and to ...

Why was MTSS created?

MTSS is designed to help schools identify struggling students early and intervene quickly. It focuses on the “whole child.” That means it supports academic growth, but many other areas, too.

What is the theory behind MTSS?

MTSS offers a framework for educators to engage in data-based decision-making related to program improvement, high-quality instruction and intervention, social and emotional learning, and positive behavioral supports necessary to ensure positive outcomes for districts, schools, teachers, and students.

When did MTSS become the law?

Language consistent with MTSS first appeared in federal legislation with the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which introduced a focus on PBIS. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 also referenced prevention, schoolwide, and targeted programs.

Did MTSS replace RTI?

Answer: No, these approaches aren't quite the same. One is broader than the other, but many schools use both at the same time.

What is MTSS

Why is MTSS better than RTI?

Many educators prefer MTSS over RTI because it is a more well-rounded, comprehensive, and holistic approach to supporting students. RTI's academic focus may not be broad enough to support all students. In some instances, behavioral and social-emotional support are a prerequisite for academic success.

Is MTSS federally mandated?

Additionally, the phrase “multi-tiered system of support” is always listed in lowercase letters, indicating that the specific MTSS framework advocated by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is not mandated by federal law.

Where did MTSS start?

How did MTSS start? MTSS was introduced in the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). It combined RTI (Response to Intervention) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports). RTI addressed academic interventions through tiered support, while PBIS addressed behavior and social-emotional interventions.

When did MTSS start in schools?

The concept of MTSS in education was first introduced under the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015, but implementation differs from state to state and within specific school districts.

Are PBIS and MTSS the same?

3 Differences Between MTSS vs PBIS

MTSS focuses on “whole-child,” including academics, behavior, social and emotional development, and absenteeism. PBIS is solely behavior focused. MTSS uses universal screenings (usually 3x/year) to determine where students are to help identify at-risk students.

What are the 4 pillars of MTSS?

Intervention service delivery models, such as RTI and SWPBS, easily integrate and align under MTSS by sharing the four common components or “pillars.” These four pillars comprise the framework of building an effective MTSS “house” and include (1) varying levels of preventative evidence-based supports; (2) universal ...

Why is MTSS so important?

MTSS helps educators to be thoughtful about using resources appropriately and impactfully. It also allows the use of data to continually monitor and improve the effectiveness of their actions. MTSS makes the district-wide system more effective and ensures we're supporting the needs of every student.

How is MTSS different from RTI?

The Difference Between RTI and MTSS

Historically, RTI has only focused on supporting the academic needs of struggling students. MTSS broadens that framework to support the whole student by supporting academic, SEL needs, behavior needs, and other topics that impact a student's success in school.

What makes MTSS successful?

A healthy MTSS pyramid must have a strong Tier 1, supporting all areas of student learning and growth. A solid Tier 1 will ideally drive the success of Tier 2 and Tier 3 by providing a solid foundation for all students. Tier 1 supports and school-wide expectations set students up for success from the beginning.

Who benefits from MTSS?

MTSS provides multiple levels of support for all learners (struggling through advanced). MTSS aligns resources and support for students receiving instruction AND for teachers and other support staff who are delivering the instruction.

Do all states use MTSS?

At least 2,000 school districts use Panorama's MTSS dashboard for data collection, but MTSS is widely used across the country, with almost every state offering some guidance to schools on implementing it.

Does MTSS lead to special education?

While MTSS is not a special education initiative, it supports all students, including students with disabilities. Therefore special education staff should play an integral role in the design and development of the multi-tiered system of support.

Who is responsible for MTSS?

A Director of MTSS leads the development of a data-based, district-wide MTSS. Directors are responsible for collaborating closely with building administrators, educators, support staff, families, and students.

Is MTSS trauma informed?

Trauma-informed approaches in schools use the MTSS framework in which whole school tiered practices and interventions utilize systems, data, and evidence-based practices to increase social, emotional, and academic success for all students.

Is MTSS a curriculum?

They get more intense from one level to the next. For example, a child getting small group interventions may need to “move up” to one-on-one help. MTSS isn't a specific curriculum.

How does MTSS break down student support?

MTSS tiers help schools to organize levels of supports based on intensity so that students receive necessary instruction, support, and interventions based on need. As such, student identities are not based on tier levels. Instead, individuals are identified as students in need of supports.

Is MTSS the same as an IEP?

Many educators consider a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) to be a framework that's only applicable to a general education setting, while Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are reserved for special education settings.

Why do schools use MTSS?

MTSS is a framework many schools use to provide targeted support to struggling students. The goal of MTSS is to intervene early so students can catch up with their peers. It screens all students and aims to address academic and behavior challenges.

What are the strengths of MTSS?

MTSS offers a framework for educators to engage in data-based decision making related to program improvement, high-quality instruction and intervention, social and emotional learning, and positive behavioral supports necessary to ensure positive outcomes for districts, schools, teachers, and students.

What is RTI called now?

A multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is a proactive and preventative framework that integrates data and instruction to maximize student achievement and support students social, emotional, and behavior needs from a strengths-based perspective.