Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework that provides targeted instruction and interventions to promote student achievement. It consists of three levels, or tiers, of support that work together to address the diverse needs of all students.
Image from Prescott, J. (2022). HMH.
Tier 1
All students receive high quality, research-based instruction in the general education setting. This is often referred to as core instruction. Tier 1 core instruction is our district-approved curriculum for each grade level.
Tier 2
Students struggling to make progress at Tier 1 will receive an additional dose of instruction. At Kelly Elementary, this occurs during WIN time each day. WIN stands for “What I Need” and is a 45 minute period during the day where students are grouped based on academic needs in order to receive additional instruction at their level. Students who need more academic support will work with a highly-qualified teacher using a research-based intervention program. All other students will be in extension groups during WIN time.
Tier 3
Students who have not responded adequately to support in Tier 1 and Tier 2 will also receive Tier 3 supports. This intervention support will occur daily in smaller groups with a highly-trained specialist. Research-based intervention programs will be used that are tailored more specifically to the student’s needs. Students receiving Tier 3 intervention also receive Tier 2 intervention and Tier 1 core instruction.
Data-Based Decision Making
Assessments are used to make data-based decisions about the support students need in all three tiers of MTSS. The Acadience Reading, K-6 screening assessment is given to all students three times a year. Additional diagnostic assessments are given to students who score below or well-below the benchmarks on the Acadience assessment. Diagnostic assessments include tests for alphabet knowledge, phonemic awareness, and phonics. These assessments are used to determine appropriate Tier 2 WIN groups at each grade level. They are also used to identify students who may need additional Tier 3 support.
Progress monitoring assessments are also used as part of the MTSS framework. All students who score below or well-below the benchmark scores on Acadience have brief progress monitoring assessments approximately every two weeks. The data collected from progress monitoring helps us see how students are responding to interventions and helps us make data-based decisions about changes to students’ interventions.
Professional Development
Kelly Elementary teachers participate regularly in data meetings and professional development opportunities about MTSS, assessments, and data-based decision making. Teachers also have the K-5 Literacy Coach to support instruction and intervention.
Questions
If you have questions about your child’s academic progress, you should reach out to their classroom teacher. For more general questions about MTSS, you can contact Hannah Irion-Frake, K-5 Literacy Coach.